ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Fraudulent Compensation Claims

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures exist to prosecute fraudulent farmers who make claims for compensation from the European Union for sheep destroyed during the foot and mouth crisis.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 11 May 2004
	Ordinarily the Investigation Branch of DEFRA would investigate such an allegation and pass the evidence gathered to the Criminal Advisory and Prosecution Division of DEFRA. Prosecution lawyers in that Division would review the evidence and if there were a realistic prospect of conviction and it were also in the public interest to prosecute DEFRA would commence criminal proceedings in the criminal courts.
	In the event of a conviction the prosecution would seek a compensation and/or confiscation order to compensate the loser for the financial loss and deprive the convicted person of the benefit from the offences proved.

Hazardous Waste

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studies she has undertaken to evaluate the risk of additional transportation of hazardous waste as a result of the closure of hazardous waste treatment centres.

Elliot Morley: The Government recognise that with the expected reduction in the number of landfill sites taking hazardous waste from July 2004, hazardous waste could travel further in the short term. Nevertheless, it is recognised that even under the present system significant amounts of special waste travel across the country. In 2002, 42 per cent. of hazardous waste crossed a regional boundary. Government have not commissioned any specific studies to evaluate the forthcoming changes on this specific issue. Clearly in the longer term, the implementation of the Landfill Directive requirements will see an increase in treatment costs, which in turn will provide a greater incentive for hazardous waste minimisation and the use of more sustainable treatment technologies.

British Wildlife

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for   Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the health of Britain's wild animals.

Ben Bradshaw: The broad stewardship of wildlife and specific policies on conservation and biodiversity are managed as part of Government's broader remit for the environment. In addition, through the UK Veterinary Surveillance Strategy launched last year, we will develop a better overview and understanding of the health of the health of Britain's wildlife in relation to its impact on public health and other animals.
	Government, through its developing Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, recognises that there are a number of diseases of livestock where wildlife may act as a reservoir or a source of infection. Government has a role in science, research, intervention in some specific cases, and ensuring advice is available.
	The Veterinary Surveillance Strategy provides a framework for ensuring the potential risks posed by wildlife to public health (through zoonotic disease) or to farmed livestock (for example from migrating birds) are effectively identified and managed. The Strategy will also cover the impact of disease control policies for farmed livestock on wildlife and certain welfare issues involving the protection from cruelty.
	Where naturally occurring disease affecting animals in the wild occurs, Government have a role to ensure appropriate action is taken to monitor and manage the situation in accordance with the principles of the animal health and welfare strategy.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 25 March with regard to Jenny Edwards;
	(2)  when she will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 25 March, with regard to Jenny Edwards.

Alun Michael: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied on 10 May.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for   Manchester, Gorton dated 5 April with regard to Mr. Ian Boddison.

Alun Michael: I replied to the right hon. Member on 8 May.

Departmental Annual Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the production of her Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

Alun Michael: The DEFRA Departmental Report 2004 cost Defra £66,070. This cost was for designing, typesetting and proofing of the report.
	The Stationary Office Limited handled the printing of the document. They bore the full cost of printing and publishing of the document.
	DEFRA does not have information on how many copies were printed and sold. The Stationary Office is not obliged to give us this information, and so soon after the Reports publication it does not yet have details of the number of reports sold. However they have been able to provide us with the numbers for the 2003 report, where they issued 514 copies.
	DEFRA has purchased and distributed 600 copies of the 2004 Report for its own use. The bulk of these have been made available to the Senior Civil Service and other staff on request. In addition copies were sent to Parliament and the Forestry Commission.
	The report is also freely available on the Department's intranet, which all staff can access. It is also available on DEFRA's website at: http://www. defra.gov.uk/corporate/deprep/default.htm.

Fisheries

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2004, Official Report, column 861W, on fisheries, which member states have (a) an historic entitlement and (b) an entitlement without an historic track record to fish within the UK six to 12 miles zone; and whether those entitlements are transferable to any fishing vessel from that nation state.

Ben Bradshaw: France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands have a historical entitlement to fish in the UK six to 12 mile zone. No other member states have access to this zone.

Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-regional Strategy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency have for new water and sewerage infrastructure to serve the Aylesbury area in the context of the draft Milton Keynes and South Midlands sub-regional strategy; and what the (i) time scale for and (ii) cost of such works will be.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that all the growth areas are equipped with the water and sewerage services and infrastructure necessary to guarantee the long-term health of these communities. To achieve this, we recognise the importance of involving the respective water undertakers and environmental regulators at an early stage in the development of proposals.
	The Environment Agency has previously (June 2003) provided companies with draft breakdowns of the indicative housing numbers by sub-region and company area, to assist in draft Water Resource Plans work. But given the varying and quickly evolving extent of information available, the Water Resources Planning Guideline (issued by the Environment Agency to companies on how they should produce their water resources plans) is not prescriptive about how companies should take account of the sustainable communities plan. However, the Environment Agency report "Securing water supply" (November 2003) states that it will work with companies to understand the implications and that:
	'Where appropriate companies should ensure that they have included the latest proposals in the sustainable communities initiative in their plans'.
	The Environment Agency expects the water companies supplying the Milton Keynes/South Midlands area to provide their best available estimates of the impacts of the sustainable communities programme on their supply demand balance contained in their water resources plans. However, it is recognised that the next periodic review will have access to more definitive numbers.

Woodcraft Folk

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether any of the Department's (a) present and (b) previous staff are members of the Friends of the Woodcraft Folk.

Alun Michael: There are no records of staff being members of the Friends of the Woodcraft Folk. Staff are not required to register their private interests, such as membership of clubs or societies, unless these bring them into direct conflict with their official duties. In these cases, staff must declare their interest to senior managers, who will determine how best to proceed on a case-by-case basis.
	DEFRA's staff are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code. This requires them to act with integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity in carrying out their duties and to conduct themselves in such a way as to deserve and retain the confidence of Ministers.

Woodcraft Folk

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions have been held between her officials and Chichester district council about the Woodcraft Folk.

Alun Michael: The only discussions I am aware of relate to a campsite operated by the Woodcraft Folk in Lurgashall for which an approach was made for a camping exemption certificate. DEFRA has responsibility for camping exemption certificates under section 296 of the Public Health Act 1936. There were objections to the application and correspondence was received from the constituency MP and from MPs representing users of the campsite.
	My officials held a meeting with members of the Woodcraft Folk, Chichester district council and Lurgashall parish council on 9 June 2003 to discuss the Woodcraft Folk's application for a camping exemption certificate.
	The discussions demonstrated that there were differences of view regarding past usage of the site so I agreed to DEFRA's commissioning an independent mediator to facilitate a further discussion between the Woodcraft Folk and the two councils on 3 and 4 February 2004. In the light of the mediator's report, I agreed to issue a camping exemption certificate to the Woodcraft Folk for one year, subject to further discussion between the parties to resolve outstanding issues.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Early Retirement

Bob Spink: To ask the Leader of the House how many employees in his Office took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year.

Peter Hain: In the last financial year no staff in my office have taken early retirement.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Tom Cox: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the United States Administration, and with whom, on the cases of abuse that have taken place against Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister what changes to the (a) political and (b) military strategy in Iraq are being considered by the (i) UK Government and (ii) US Administration as a consequence of the International Committee for the Red Cross report in February 2004.

Tony Blair: Both President Bush and I have made clear that any abuse of human rights, torture or maltreatment of civilians in Iraq is wholly unacceptable and all cases will be dealt with.

TREASURY

Children's Fund

Tim Loughton: To ask The Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on his intentions for future funding for the children's fund.

Paul Boateng: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his Budget statement that the children's fund will be continued to 2008 to allow a smooth transition to new children's trusts, which will be focused on preventative work and developed and delivered with the full engagement of the voluntary sector.

Tax Burden

Michael Jack: To ask The Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the distributional impact of the tax burden projections contained in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

Ruth Kelly: The tax projections are based on macroeconomic assumptions set out in the Budget 2004 report. Estimating the distributional impact would require many more assumptions, which are unnecessary for our projections.

World Debt

Ben Chapman: To ask The Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he held with international Finance Ministers on tackling world debt at the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

John Healey: At the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, the Chancellor had various discussions with Finance Ministers. In addition to continuing to support countries in making progress through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, it was recognised that there was an urgent need to support countries as they emerge from conflict and progress towards participation in the initiative.
	It was also recognised that it was important to take forward work on the debt sustainability framework that the IMF and World Bank have proposed, in order to support long-term debt sustainability for poor countries.
	However, debt relief alone is not sufficient. All HIPC countries will need additional aid to meet the millennium development goals (MDGS). That is why the UK's proposal for an international finance facility is so important. It can provide the much-needed substantial increase in resources—in the form of grants, concessional loans, or further debt relief—needed to attain the MDGS.

World Debt

Ian Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what preparations he is making for discussions at the forthcoming meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers on tackling world debt.

John Healey: At the meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers, the Chancellor will be calling for the full implementation of the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, including additional relief to be provided to countries that have suffered economic shocks, in a full and timely manner. The Chancellor will also be calling for the HIPC initiative to be extended to ensure that eligible countries—many of which are in the process of exiting from conflict—are able to benefit from debt relief.
	However, debt relief alone is not sufficient. All HIPC countries will need additional aid to meet the millennium development goals (MDGS.) The Chancellor will press the UK's proposal for an international finance facility, demonstrating that it can provide the much-needed substantial increase in aid—in the form of grants, concessional loans, or further debt relief—needed to attain the MDGS.

International Finance Facility

Helen Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has had with EU partners since 1 April regarding the international finance facility.

John Healey: The IFF proposal was discussed at the 8 April conference on Financing for Development which the Chancellor co-hosted with French Finance Minister Sarkozy, attended by representatives from over 55 countries including many of our EU partners. At the conference France reiterated its strong support for the initiative. We continue to build on this support with other EU countries in other fora.

International Finance Facility

Ross Cranston: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the international finance facility as a result of spring meetings with the IMF and World Bank.

John Healey: Good progress has been made in taking forward the IFF proposal at the Spring Meetings with a   number of countries expressing their support. Following the developing country statement at the 8 April conference, both the G24 and African Governors endorsed the IFF and called on donors to implement the proposal. The World Bank's interim paper on Financing Modalities found that the IFF is technically feasible and concluded that frontloading of aid holds considerable attractions. Communiqués looked forward to reviewing the on-going joint World Bank and IMF work on aid effectiveness, absorptive capacity and, results-based measurement mechanisms, such as an IFF, at the Annual Meetings in September 2004.

House Prices

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic instruments are available to him to moderate the rise in house prices.

Ruth Kelly: In Budget 2003, the Chancellor noted that a reduction in housing market volatility would enhance macro-economic stability. He asked Kate Barker to review housing supply in the UK, and David Miles to review the UK mortgage market.
	At the time of Budget 2004, both reviews presented their final reports. The Government have welcomed their analysis and recommendations for action.
	As recommended in the Barker Review, the Government are implementing a programme of change to the planning system and to the delivery of development, consulting with stakeholders as necessary. The Government accept the case for releasing more   resources to boost housing supply, improve affordability and lock in macro-economic stability, and will make a start in the forthcoming Spending Review.
	The Government endorse David Miles' conclusion that urgent reform is desirable to make the UK mortgage market work better for consumers in a number of areas. The FSA has in train reforms in the mortgage market, which will move to statutory regulation on 31 October. The Chancellor has asked the FSA to consider and report on the further reforms proposed by David Miles.

Fuel Duty

David Chaytor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning his proposed increase in fuel duty.

John Healey: Treasury Ministers receive a wide range of representations about all areas of taxation policy, both in the run-up to and after the Chancellor's annual Budget statement.

Financial Services Authority

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) consultation papers and (b) other documents issued by the Financial Services Authority in each of the last five years, broken down by number of pages.

Ruth Kelly: The matters raised in this question are the responsibility of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), whose day-to-day operations are independent from Government control and influence. The Chairman of the FSA has offered to write to the hon. Member shortly, addressing the matters raised. Every FSA consultation paper can be found by year of publication on the FSA's website, together with other FSA documents.

Insurance Mediation Directive

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on implementation of the EU Insurance Mediation Directive (a) in this country and (b) elsewhere in the EU;
	(2)  what new regulations will be required on insurance brokers in order for them to meet Financial Services Authority guidelines for the introduction of the Insurance Mediation Directive;
	(3)  if he will reduce the fee structure for the Insurance Mediation Directive;
	(4)  on what date the Financial Services Authority required authorisation of brokers under the Insurance Mediation Directive; and whether this is common to all EU countries;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the impact on the number of insurance brokers of the introduction of the Insurance Mediation Directive.

Ruth Kelly: The UK has the largest insurance industry in Europe. Implementing the IMD is a key step in completing the single market in financial services, and will enhance consumer protection in an important sector of financial business. The UK market for selling insurance is competitive with many players giving customers wide choice, and this will continue in the new regime. Already thousands of firms have applied to the FSA for authorisation for the new regime.
	The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 requires the FSA to publish a cost-benefit analysis of its proposed rules and guidance. The FSA has published cost benefit analysis in each of its consultation papers, which includes analysis of the market impact on firms. These state that regulation might result in some reduction in the number of firms selling insurance. In particular they stated that some businesses for whom selling insurance was a marginal activity may withdraw from the market once subject to statutory regulation. However there will be thousands of firms in the market providing consumers with a wide choice. The FSA have estimated that around 20,000 new firms will come into regulation as a result of mortgage and general insurance regulation and the vast majority of these will be involved in general insurance business.
	The Government have consulted widely on the regulatory regime, publishing a public consultation document including draft regulations and a draft regulatory impact assessment in October 2002. Following analysis of the responses to the consultation, Parliament approved legislation on 24 June 2003. The activities to be regulated are: introducing, proposing or carrying out other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance; assisting in the administration and performance of such contracts, in particular in the event of a claim; and concluding contracts of insurance. In drawing up its rules for insurance mediation, the FSA has carried out extensive public consultation on its rules. Further information is available from the FSA's website, www.fsa.gov.uk.
	FSA regulation of insurance brokers will commence from 14 January 2005. This date is two years from the publication of the directive in the Official Journal of the European Communities. All member states have to implement the directive by this date.
	In implementing the directive the Government and the FSA have worked closely with the industry to design a regulatory regime that takes account of market practice, and does not load the industry and ultimately the consumer with unnecessary costs. Both the Government and the FSA have been concerned to minimise the impact on smaller firms and sole traders.
	The fees charged are a matter for the FSA. Application fees for insurance intermediaries have been set following consultation with the industry and are based on the volume of business undertaken. Up to 50 per cent. discount is offered for an early application together with further discount if the application is made   electronically. Smaller intermediaries seeking authorisation could pay a fee of only £500. If a firm is already authorised by the FSA for other regulated activities, the application fee it would pay for IMD activities is halved. The periodic annual fee which will be charged by the FSA for on-going supervision of authorised intermediaries following the commencement of regulation has not yet been set and will be the subject of a forthcoming consultation this summer.
	Monitoring the implementation of the IMD across the EU is a matter for the Commission. The UK has focused its efforts on the implementation of the IMD in the UK market. We do however have informal working level contacts with other member states.

Labour Statistics (Bootle)

Joe Benton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in tourism-related jobs in Bootle on the latest date for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Joe Benton, dated 13 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about tourism-related jobs in Bootle. I am replying in his absence. (173145)
	The latest available data, from the 2002 Annual Business Inquiry, shows that the total number of jobs in tourism related industries in Bootle Parliamentary Constituency was 1,700. This total is obtained by combining figures for those working in the   following industries, as identified by Standard Industrial Classification 2003:
	hotels
	restaurants
	bars
	activities of travel agencies
	libraries, archives, museums etc.
	sporting activities
	other recreational activities.

Military Expenditure

Harold Best: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers have sought to divert or withhold the proportion of their contribution going to military expenditure in the last three years.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Military Expenditure

Harold Best: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations entitled 'peace tax returns' have been received by the Treasury.

Dawn Primarolo: We have no central record of the number of representations received entitled 'peace tax returns'.

National Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the current unneeded surplus is in the national insurance fund.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to table two on page six of the report by the Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2004 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2004 (CM6117).
	Any surplus contributions are used to buy gilts on behalf of the fund.

Norwich Union

Jim Dowd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Association of British Insurers in the last 12 months in relation to the service provided by Norwich Union to its policy holders.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals as part of the process of policy development and analysis. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings, as provided for under Exemption 7(b) of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information". Treasury meetings are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code, as appropriate.

Pensions

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the cost would be to the Exchequer under its proposed reform of pension taxation of imposing no annual limit on pension savings in the year 2006–07 and each of the subsequent three years.

Ruth Kelly: The annual allowance protects against large payments being made into a tax privileged pension scheme that might then be removed from the scheme without the imposition of tax. So there would therefore be a cost attached to having no annual allowance under the proposed simplified pension regime—even if the lifetime allowance were retained.
	The size of this cost depends upon behavioural effects and any estimate of cost would inevitably be very broad-brush. However, given the potential additional pension savings from those in the top 1 per cent. of the earnings distribution, plus the possibility of the additional scope for tax avoidance or evasion, the cost to the Exchequer could be up to several hundred million pounds over this period.

Stability and Growth Pact

Wayne David: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made in discussions at a European level about the stability and growth pact.

Ruth Kelly: The Government continue to emphasise the need for a prudent interpretation of the stability and growth pact, taking into account the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment.
	The Government published alongside Budget 2004 a   discussion paper comparing our British fiscal framework with the rules of the European Union's stability and growth pact, examining the principles, based on our experience, which should guide the evolution of fiscal policy.

Statistics (Stockton, South)

Dari Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in Stockton South have benefited from the 100 per cent. tax exemption for the purchase of computer and internet equipment.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Djanogly) on 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1505W.

VAT

Claire Ward: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce VAT on devices which improve safety in the home.

John Healey: Member states are permitted only to introduce reduced rates of VAT from the prescribed list of goods and services as set out in Annex H of the EC Sixth VAT Directive. There is no general provision in Annex H for devices which improve safety in the home.
	But Annex H does allow a reduced rate for certain works to housing and the Government have used this to introduce a reduced rate of VAT for the grant-funded installation of certain security measures (for example window and door-locks and smoke alarms), when installed at the same time as energy saving materials or central heating systems also paid for by a qualifying grant. Qualifying grants are targeted at people aged 60 or over and those receiving specified benefits, so the related reduced rate is similarly well targeted at those who need help most.
	The UK's existing zero rates also cover a number of measures that contribute to safety in the home, such as burglar alarms and security lights, but only if they are installed in new homes at the time of construction.
	A review of the reduced rate provisions is currently under way in Europe and the Government have made clear in these negotiations that we will not agree to the removal of any of our zero and reduced rate VAT derogations.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether all the documents relating to the murder of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson MP in 1922 are now in the public domain; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Records kept by several Government Departments relating to the murder of Field Marshall Sir Henry Wilson in London in June 1922 are available for public inspection in the National Archives. A search of the National Archives' electronic catalogue did not reveal any documents unavailable for public inspection.

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether all official documents relating to Rudolf Hess are now in the public domain; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: A search of the National Archives' electronic catalogue provides details of records relating to the career of Rudolf Hess originating from several Government Departments and now kept at Kew. All of this material appears to be available for public consultation. Since Mr. Hess did not die until 1987, it is quite possible that more material relating to him is still held in Government Departments, in accordance with the 30-year rule and other provisions of the Public Records Acts.

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs which documents relating to the late Duke of Windsor are withheld from public inspection in the Public Records Office, broken down by category; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Many public records relating to the Duke of Windsor, including some concerning his career after the Abdication in December 1936, were made available to the public for the first time on 30 January 2003. Further information about these and other records relating to the Duke kept at the National Archives can be obtained from its electronic catalogue on the internet at http://catalogue.pro.gov.uk. A search of the catalogue has not revealed any reference to the Duke's career which is not available for public consultation.

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether all the documents relating to the death of the late Duke of Kent in 1942, with particular reference to the itinerary of his final projected journey, are now in the public domain and available for inspection; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The National Archives holds some correspondence and papers relating to the Duke of Kent's fatal air crash in Caithness in August 1942, mainly among the Air Ministry records. It is not aware of any significant body of material concerning this matter in other public archives.

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs which documents referring to personalities and events relating to the conflict in Ireland between 1919 and 1923 are withheld from inspection at the Public Records Office; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: There is a considerable amount of material relating to the conflict in Ireland during this period, mainly but not exclusively among the historical records of the Cabinet Office, the War Office, the Colonial Office and the Home Office, now kept at the National Archives. It is not possible to supply a definitive answer concerning the availability of all this material without incurring disproportionate cost, but initial searches in the National Archives' electronic catalogue indicate that only a very few of the relevant files are not now open to public inspection.

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs which documents relating to the Irish plenipotentiaries who negotiated the Treaty of 1921 with the United Kingdom Government are withheld from pubic inspection in thePublic Records Office; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: There is a full official record of the negotiations between the British Government and the Irish plenipotentiaries, which resulted in the Treaty of 6 December 1921, among the Cabinet Office records now kept at the National Archives, in particular series CAB 21, CAB 24, CAB 27 and CAB 43. These records are open for public consultation.
	The Royal Irish Constabulary's file on Michael Collins, one of the leading plenipotentiaries, covering the period 1916–1920, is also publicly available (reference: CO 904/196).

Historical Papers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs which documents that relate to Anthony Blunt are withheld from public inspection in the Public Record Office, broken down by category; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: An initial search of the electronic catalogue relating to public records kept by the National Archives does not reveal any records relating to Anthony Blunt which are not open to public inspection. However, since he remained a prominent public figure until his death in 1983, it is quite possible that some material relating to him held by Government Departments has yet to be transferred to the National Archives, in accordance with the 30-year rule and other provisions of the Public Records Acts.

British-Irish Council

Martin Smyth: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whatthe role of the British-Irish Council is in monitoring and co-ordinating the implementation of the provisions of the Charter for Regional and Minority Languages.

David Lammy: The British-Irish Council does not have   a role in monitoring and co-ordinating the implementation of the provision of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. This is a matter for the Council of Europe and each of the Charter's ratified signatories. (Out of the BIC Members, only the UK and Ireland are members of the Council of Europe, and the UK is the only ratified signatory to the Charter.)
	The British-Irish Council however has a sectoral working group looking at Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-Used Languages, led by the Welsh Assembly Government. The work of the BIC in this area will complement current UK initiatives in respect of the Charter.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 25 March with regard to Mr. Martin Rathfelder.

David Lammy: The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor wrote to the right hon. Member on 4 May in response to his letter of 25 March.

Legal Aid

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the dispute with the Bar over legal aid in criminal trials.

David Lammy: Very high cost criminal cases (VHCCCs) represent around l per cent. of all Crown court cases but take up (currently) around 51 per cent. of Crown court expenditure (£250–300 million). Over the last three years the percentage increase in the cost of the most expensive 1,000 criminal cases in each year has been 14 per cent. The new contracting scheme, which now applies to all these cases, introduces greater control and works on the basis of fixed rates for both barristers and solicitors. Cases are paid for as each stage is completed. That is an advantage from the lawyer's point of view over the former system where cases are on average paid two years after their start.
	The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and I are concerned about the refusal by barristers to take on some very high cost criminal cases (VHCCCs) under the contracting regime which now applies to all cases. We have therefore set up a Review Committee with the Bar and Law Society to examine the VHCCC regime and report by 28 May 2004. The committee also includes the Legal Services Commission, the Treasury and the Crown Prosecution Service. I am pleased to note that the Chairman of the Bar has written to his members to help ensure that the essential public interest priorities are met pending the outcome of the review.
	The VHCCC Review Committee met for the first time on 26 April, under the chairmanship of Ian Magee CB (Second Permanent Secretary at the Department of Constitutional Affairs, and Chief Executive, Operations with responsibility for legal aid). There was a useful exchange of views between the Bar, the Law Society, my Department and the Crown Prosecution Service and a programme of rapid work has been agreed, which should enable a full report to be prepared by 28 May.
	The Review Committee's terms of reference are:
	"To examine the workings so far of the very high cost criminal case regime and to make recommendations on how its procedures and structures might be improved to provide a better service to clients and a better system for those working within it.
	The Review should consider:
	the management and bureaucracy of the Scheme, including the balance between cost management and professional judgment;
	whether there are opportunities to rebalance payments in the scheme to address anomalies;
	the validity of the categories;
	whether there would be advantage in extending the upper threshold of the graduated fee scheme (i.e. whether the graduated
	The Review is to report on 28 May, unless parties agree to extend.
	There is no commitment on the part of the Government to fund any measures, which would have the effect of increasing overall legal aid expenditure. But if the length of cases reduces overall, this may be reflected in increased rates."

Legal Aid (NHS Cases)

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) patients and (b) patients' families have received legal aid support for disputes with NHS trusts in the last five years.

David Lammy: The information requested is not directly available. The Legal Services Commission's computer systems do not record the status of the person receiving legal aid nor do they indicate who the dispute is against. However, the Commission is able to provide figures for the number of funding certificates where the Commission has granted Legal Representation for actual or potential clinical negligence proceedings. The figures are not necessarily reflective of the number of individuals involved:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 7,867 
			 1999–2000 7,375 
			 2000–01 7,329 
			 2001–02 7,309 
			 2002–03 6,307 
		
	
	The Commission has figures for the pre-representation legal advice and assistance stage only from April 2001. These are as follows—again the figures are not necessarily reflective of the number of individuals involved:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 4,550 
			 2001–02 4,903 
			 2002–03 4,554

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Anti-social Behaviour

Chris Ruane: To ask the Solicitor-General which areas will be covered by the new anti-social behaviour prosecutors; and what mechanisms are in place for spreading best practice in combating antisocial behaviour.

Harriet Harman: The twelve Areas covered by the new anti-social behaviour prosecutors are: Northumbria, Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Merseyside, Manchester, West Mercia, Birmingham, South Wales, Avon and Somerset, Sussex, Kent and London (North Sector).
	The specialist prosecutors will be responsible for prosecuting anti-social behaviour cases and seeking orders on conviction.
	Best practice is shared on a regular basis via a central project team and a dedicated Crown Prosecution Service intranet bulletin board. The expert prosecutors will be holding regular meetings with the Attorney General where they will circulate local good practice and feed back practitioner impact.
	Those CPS Areas not included in the scope of the current project have now appointed lead anti-social behaviour prosecutors.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Regional Tourism

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding for tourism has been made available to each regional development agency (RDA) in the current year; and how much of this funding each RDA passed on (a) to its regional tourist board, (b) to local authorities, (c) to local and regional businesses and (d) for use for marketing.

Richard Caborn: In 2004–05, the RDAs will receive £3.6 million specifically for tourism as follows:
	
		
			  Amount (£) 
		
		
			 Advantage West Midlands 252,000 
			 East of England Development Agency 543,000 
			 East Midlands Development Agency 252,000 
			 North West Development Agency 713,000 
			 One North East 333,000 
			 South East Development Agency 744,000 
			 South West Regional Development Agency 403,000 
			 Yorkshire Forward 360,000 
		
	
	This money is ring-fenced for the Regional Tourist Boards until the end of 2005–06. Those regions which no longer work with an RTB have sought the Department's approval to pass the money to other designated tourism delivery bodies. The RDAs will determine what objectives and targets the RTBs or other organisations should meet in return for the funds, working as appropriate with local authorities and businesses.
	In the North East, ONE has taken over the core functions of the former Northumbria Tourist Board, and will retain the funding on the basis that it is ring-fenced for this purpose. In the North West, the NWDA has established four destination management organisations to take over the role of the former NW Tourist Board.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Disabled Facilities Grant

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for   Northern Ireland what assessment has been carried out of the effectiveness of abolishing the Disabled Facilities Grant means test for children in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: The abolition of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) means-test for parents of children with disabilities came into effect from 16 February 2004. It is therefore too early for any assessment of effectiveness to be carried out. The working group which was set up to look at the matter considered the potential impact of the abolition in terms of cost to the Government and numbers who could be helped by the abolition. It was   estimated that 25–30 applications for DFG are withdrawn each year due to the high contribution.

Homelessness

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Northern Ireland how many (a) homeless and (b) other people living rough there are in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: The exact number of people "living rough" is unknown. However, a survey early this year estimated that between 20 and 30 people who frequently use Housing Executive funded Outreach services could be regarded as "living rough". The survey did not, however, attempt to determine whether they were statutorily homeless or not. This is a very small percentage compared the number of households on the Housing Executive's waiting list registered as homeless which at 31 March 2004 stood at 5,287.

Sports Grounds

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the status of the Safe Sports Grounds funding made available for essential health and safety work to stadia in Northern Ireland; and how much funding has been made available (a) in each of the past three years and (b) since January for this purpose.

Angela Smith: The Interim Safe Sports Grounds Scheme ended in March 2003 and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland is currently planning development of a new Sports Grounds Development Programme, the main purpose of which is to address the long-term health and safety deficiencies of major sports grounds in Northern Ireland. Government funding made available for the health and safety work to Northern Ireland stadia in each of the last three financial years.
	
		£ million
		
			 Financial year Amount made available 
		
		
			 2001–02 0.5 
			 2002–03 1 
			 2003–04 Nil

SCOTLAND

Chernobyl

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farms in Scotland, comprising what land areas and in what locations, have restrictions applied to them in respect of land use as a result of the residual radioactivity from the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Anne McGuire: This is a devolved matter within the responsibility of the Scottish Executive, who are advised by the Food Standards Agency. However, the following table from the Food Standards Agency shows the number of farms in Scotland, their location and area of land covered by restrictions on the movement of sheep as a result of the residual radioactivity from the Chernobyl nuclear accident. There have been no restrictions on land use as a result of the Chernobyl accident.
	
		Restrictions in Scotland at 30April 2004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Number of Farms 14 
			 Land Area (hectares) 16,300 
			 Location (1)— 
		
	
	(1) South West and Central Scotland.

Departmental Expenditure (Entertainment)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his latest estimate is of the amount spent by his Department on official entertainment in each year from 1996–97 to 2004–05.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999.
	Since that date the Office has spent the following on hospitality and entertainment:
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 1999–2000 (2)10,638 
			 2000–01 41,638 
			 2001–02 25,789 
			 2002–03 41,782 
			 2003–04(3) 25,969 
		
	
	(2) Part-year cost.
	(3) Estimate.
	Note:
	Expenditure for 2004–05 is expected to be of a similar order to 2003–04.

Nuclear Power Plants (Air Security)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport in respect of the breach of the air exclusion zone around the Chapel Cross nuclear plant this year; and what steps have been taken to improve air security around the plant.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	My officials have discussed this matter with the Ministry of Defence, who have confirmed that no breach of the air exclusion zone at the Chapel Cross nuclear power station has taken place.

Telephone Costs

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department's expenditure on (a) fixed and (b) mobile telephones was in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999.
	Since that date the Office has spend the following on telephone costs.
	
		£000
		
			  Fixed lines Mobile telephones 
		
		
			 1999–2000 (4)36,622 (4)6,760 
			 2000–01 85,483 14,275 
			 2001–02 86,697 11,850 
			 2002–03 81,756 7,216 
			 2003–04(5) 82,131 6,646 
		
	
	(4) Part-year costs.
	(5) Estimate.
	Note:
	The costs in 2000–01, 2001–02 reflect the additional expense of purchase mobile telephone equipment.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Anne McGuire: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Environment, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 31W.

TRANSPORT

British Transport Police

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Transport Police officers have been assaulted while on duty in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) have provided the following information on officers assaulted while on duty in each year since 1997:
	
		
			  Number of Officers assaulted 
		
		
			 1997–98 187 
			 1998–99 184 
			 1999–2000 194 
			 2000–01 227 
			 2001–02 227 
			 2002–03 213 
			 2003–04 267

Car Sharing

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what research his Department has conducted into car-sharing schemes; and if he will place copies of such research findings in the Library;
	(2)  what plans his Department has to provide guidance for local transport plans relating to car-sharing schemes.

Tony McNulty: Research into the effectiveness of car sharing and other travel plan measures was published in 2002 in "Making Travel Plans Work: Research Report", copies of which were placed in the Library.
	Last year, the Department commissioned research into the influence of soft factors on travel demand. The final report, which will include a chapter on car sharing, is expected to be completed shortly and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Following a commitment made in the Government's Response to the Motorist's Forum Report on car sharing and car clubs on 3 December 2002, Official Report, column 72WS, the Department has commissioned research into best practice in setting up formal car sharing and car club schemes in closed communities. From the research, we will provide new guidance for local authorities, schools and employers on the effective implementation of car share schemes. The research and guidance is expected to be completed in October and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Car Sharing

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the locations of high occupancy vehicle lanes are; and how long each lane is.

Tony McNulty: There are high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes operating in two local authorities in England: two lengths of HOV lane in Leeds totalling 1.5 km and four lengths totalling 1.9 km in South Gloucester.

Car Sharing

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for   Transport what research his Department has collated on the effectiveness of high occupancy vehicle lanes.

Tony McNulty: The HOV lanes on Stanningley Road in Leeds are included as one of the case studies in the Bus Partnership Forum's Resource Pack "Bus Priority—The Way Ahead" published by the Department in September 2003. This reports the results of an evaluation of the HOV lanes carried out by Leeds City Council.

Dual Carriageways (Nottinghamshire)

Kenneth Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the construction of the A46 dual carriageway improvement between Newark and Widmerpool in Nottinghamshire to begin.

Kim Howells: The future programme depends on funding and how quickly the various statutory processes can be completed but we currently expect that start of works will be in 2007 with the road opening to traffic in 2009.

Dual Carriageways (Nottinghamshire)

Kenneth Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the construction of the A453 dual carriageway improvement between Clifton in Nottinghamshire and Kegworth to begin.

Kim Howells: The future programme depends on funding and how quickly the various statutory processes can be completed but we currently expect that start of works will be in 2008–09 with the road opening to traffic in 2011.

East-West Rail Route

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the proposed Western Section (Oxford to Bedford) of the East-West Rail route.

Tony McNulty: The East-West Rail Consortium (a group of local authorities along the route, working in partnership with the regional assembly and the regional development agencies) has now put forward an updated business case for the Bedford to Bletchley section of the East West Rail Link. This proposal involves upgrading and re-opening the line between Oxford and Bedford. Officials at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are considering the updated business case, particularly in light of the potential impact of the scheme on the delivery of the Sustainable Communities Plan. The Strategic Rail Authority is also considering the Bedford to Bletchley business case. Any appraisal will need to be considered against other priorities—and in the context of the financial constraints on the industry at the present time.

Light Rapid Transit

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make an announcement of his decision on the Light Rapid Transit project between Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth.

Tony McNulty: A decision will be announced in due course.

London Underground PPP

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which management consultants undertook work for (a) his Department and its predecessor and (b) London Underground in respect of the London Underground Public Private Partnership; and if he will list the total payments in each management consultancy company.

Tony McNulty: During procurement of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) the Department and London Underground made joint use of external advisers wherever possible to keep costs to a minimum. Management consultants used on the PPP were PricewaterhouseCoopers, Arthur Andersen, PA Consulting, KPMG, Hornagold & Hills and Ernst & Young. The value of work done by individual consultants and advisers is commercially confidential. London Underground's total expenditure for all external advice on the PPP—including management consultancy, legal, financial, engineering and operational advice—was £103.5 million. The Department had separately spent £1.5 million on external advice.

MOT Computerisation

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the testing of   the MOT computerisation system by VOSA and Siemens Business Systems.

David Jamieson: Siemens Business Services have fully completed four cycles of Main System Test and are in the process of completing a fifth. Trial stage 1 (VOSA Acceptance Testing) is due to begin on 21 June 2004.

MOT Computerisation

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made with the planned two-month volunteer MOT trial at 50 garages.

David Jamieson: Trials at 45 stations are due to begin on 2 August 2004.
	Volunteers have been sought and applicants are being sifted. Those who have been selected to conduct these initial trials will be notified shortly

MOT Computerisation

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the MOT computerisation programme will be installed in 1,000 MOT garages as planned; when the service is due to go live; and when it will be rolled out to other MOT garages.

David Jamieson: The service is due to be rolled out and trialled in 1,000 MOT stations from, 27 September 2004 onwards. These stations will trial the service in parallel with, operating the current test administration protocols.
	The service is due to be rolled out to all MOT stations, and go live, from 29 November 2004.

MOT Computerisation

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the planned series of MOT computerisation seminars will take place; and what these seminars are planned to do.

David Jamieson: VOSA runs a series of national MOT seminars each year. The subject of the 2004 round of seminars was MOT Computerisation; they took place between January and April. The seminars facilitate two-way communications between VOSA and the trade on issues relating to MOT testing. No further seminars are planned before roll-out starts to all stations.

Productivity and Costs

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is for (a) increasing the productivity and (b) cutting the costs of (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 10 May 2004, Official Report, columns 148–49W. The Department for Transport has been working on proposals to meet the Chancellor's efficiency target. These proposals will be finalised as part of the 2004 Spending Review.

Public Transport (Wirral, South)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect of investment in railway improvements over the next 10 years upon residents of Wirral South.

Tony McNulty: Merseyrail which operates local services in Wirral, South is a consistently high performer. Residents of Wirral, South will also benefit from the West Coast Main Line upgrade and the new TransPennine Express franchise to make fast inter-city journeys out of Liverpool. The TransPennine Express franchise, which commenced in February secures investment of around £260 million, which will include the introduction of a new fleet of 100 mph diesel trains leading to increased capacity, improved service quality and performance across the region.

Railway Crimes

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crimes of a sexual nature were committed on the railways in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) have provided the following information on how many crimes of a sexual nature were committed on the railways in each year since 1997:
	
		Total number of offences recorded
		
			  England and Wales Scotland 
		
		
			 1997–98 719 37 
			 1998–99 1,185 29 
			 1999–2000 1,079 34 
			 2000–01 1,009 31 
			 2001–02 1,020 34 
			 2002–03 1,003 29 
			 2003–04 1,120 36

Railway Crimes

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many arrests have been made by the British Transport Police on railway property in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) have provided the following information on arrests made on railway property in each year since 1999; information is not readily available for earlier than 1999.
	
		
			  Total number of arrests 
		
		
			 1999–2000 6,393 
			 2000–01 6,788 
			 2001–02 7,049 
			 2002–03 7,434 
			 2003–04 8,151

Railway Crimes

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many arrests have been made by the British Transport Police in each year since 1997 for suspected crimes committed on property other than the railways.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) have provided the following information on arrests made for crimes committed on property other than the railways since 1997.
	
		Arrests made for other forces including Scottish forces
		
			  Total number of arrests 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,119 
			 1998–99 1,513 
			 1999–2000 1,174 
			 2000–01 1,175 
			 2001–02 1,000 
			 2002–03 760 
			 2003–04 1,224

Railway Stations

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many stations are not served by at least one train in each direction on one or more weekdays each week;
	(2)  which stations are not served by trains on (a) Saturdays and (b) Sundays;
	(3)  which stations are served by one train a week in each direction;
	(4)  which stations are served by fewer than 14 trains a week.

Tony McNulty: The information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost because it would involve very detailed analysis of the National Rail Timetable, table by table.

Railway Travel Bans

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many individuals have been banned from travelling on the railways in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The British Transport Police (BTP) has only had the power to apply for ASBOs (antisocial behaviour orders) since December 2003. Since then the BTP have successfully applied for 52 orders. There are also presently 30 suspects who have football banning orders that stop people from travelling on the railway on certain match days.

Rural Bus Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the numbers of (i) rural bus services and (ii) rural bus passengers during the last five years.

Tony McNulty: We monitor annually the number of services supported by local authorities with funds provided under the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG) scheme and the number of passenger journeys made on   these services. In 1998, the year the grant was introduced, it provided 850 new and enhanced services, rising to over 2,100 services in 2002–03. In 2002–03 26 million passenger journeys were supported in England through RBSG.
	We have commissioned research into the impact of the Department's two funding streams for rural bus services, RBSG and the Rural Bus Challenge. A report is on the Department's website.
	We also monitor the accessibility of rural communities to bus services through the National Travel Survey. The latest Survey published in December 2003 shows 48 per cent. of rural households to be within a 10 minutes walk of an hourly or better bus service compared to 39 per cent. in the 1997–1999 Survey. This shows the position for all bus services, including those supported by RBSG.

Rural Bus Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much Government funding has been provided for rural bus services in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The following table shows specific rural bus funding provided by Government since 1998 the year each of the funding schemes concerned were introduced:
	
		£ million
		
			  Countryside Agency grants(6) Rural Bus Challenge(7) Rural Bus Subsidy Grant Total 
		
		
			 1998–99 2.3 11.4 24.1 37.8 
			 1999–2000 3.3 16.8 32.0 52.1 
			 2000–01 4.8 21.2 32.3 58.2 
			 2001–02 7.5 20.5 41.2 69.2 
			 2002–03 13.5 20.0 47.3 80.8 
			 2003–04 35 20.3 48.4 103.7 
		
	
	(6) Countryside Agency Grants 1998–2000 Rural Transport Partnership (RTF) and Rural Transport Development Fund, since 2001 RTF and Parish Transport Grant.
	(7) Rural Bus Challenge funding awarded for projects typically lasting 2–3 years.
	In addition local transport authorities use some of their general funding to subsidise socially necessary local bus services in rural areas, and Bus Service Operators Grant is paid to bus operators and community transport providers.

Rural Bus Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the expected level of subsidy for rural bus services for future years.

Tony McNulty: As announced in the 2003 Budget, Rural Bus Subsidy Grant will continue until April 2006. Allocations to local authorities for 2005–06 will be announced in due course. Decisions on the grant beyond that year, and on the future of the Rural Bus Challenge scheme, will be announced following completion of the current review of bus subsidies and the Government's Spending Review.

Shell Haven

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the risk relating to explosives remaining on the SS Richard Montgomery in the Thames from the possible operation of Shell Haven Port; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The main Yantlet shipping channel is over 2 km from the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery, and is separated by the extensive Nore Sands sandbank. This whole area lies within Port of   London Authority jurisdiction, and they have undertaken a risk assessment of the whole London Gateway Project. This suggests that there would be no additional risk from vessel movements which could not be handled by the Vessel Traffic Services.

Special Advisers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many special advisers and political advisers were employed by his Department and its predecessors in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The following table states the numbers of special advisers employed in the Department for Transport and its predecessors since 1997.
	
		
			   Title of Department Number of special advisers in post 
		
		
			 2004 Department for Transport 1 
			 2003 Department for Transport 2 
			 2002 Department for Transport 2 
			 2001 Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 2 
			 2000 Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions 1 
			 1999 Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions 1 
			 1998 Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions 2 
			 1997 Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions 2

Speed Cameras

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cameras at legacy sites meet the Government's criteria for the siting of speed cameras; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: These safety camera sites were established before the current criteria for location of new safety cameras, under the guidance contained in the   1992 Circular 'Use of technology for traffic enforcement: Guidance on deployment', which asked highway authorities to base sites on systematic analysis of accident statistics, but did not set quantified criteria.

Speed Cameras

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money raised through speed cameras has been returned to the Treasury in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Safety Camera Partnerships operating within the cost recovery scheme returned £6,281,051 of their receipts resulting from fixed penalty fines to the Treasury in 2001–02. The figures for 2002–03 will be available shortly. All fine receipts resulting from safety cameras operated outside the cost recovery scheme accrue to the Treasury. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that information on the amount of these receipts relating to convictions from safety cameras is not separately identifiable.

Speed Cameras

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many legacy camera sites maintained cameras with film in them on 31 March.

David Jamieson: Any safety camera housing may have a camera operating in it at any time, deployment of   cameras around safety camera sites is a police operational matter.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Tony McNulty: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Agri-Environment on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 31W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bangladesh

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Department is taking to implement the aid and assistance work it is undertaking with regard to the Second Primary Education Development Programme in Bangladesh in other countries (a) within South East Asia and (b) in the rest of the developing world.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Second Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP2) in Bangladesh is distinctive in that it is part of a sector wide programme supported by all donors. It thus replaces all previous separate education projects funded by donors. It is Government led, with donor inputs coordinated by a joint donor office headed by the lead donor, the Asian development bank. DFID is one of the largest donors having approved £100 million over six years. The programme is focused on improving access and quality in primary education.
	PEDP2 is in the early stages of implementation. As the programme progresses we will disseminate lessons learnt to other parts of South East Asia and other developing countries where primary education is a priority sector. Harmonised support for sector wide programmes in education is DFID's preferred way of working and similar programmes are currently running, or being developed in, many of the over 30 developing countries, mostly in South Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa, where DFID supports primary education for all children.

Burma (EU Sanctions)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of EU sanctions on Burma.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The EU Common Position was strengthened last year, in response to the violent attack on and subsequent detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy (NLD). DFID considers that the effect of EU measures do have a real impact on the military regime. They signal how seriously the EU takes the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) breaches of international standards of behaviour and helps to provide support for the pro-democracy forces.
	The EU Common Position aims to apply targeted sanctions against the regime to persuade the SPDC of the need for political progress, but as far as is possible, to avoid measures which hurt the ordinary Burmese people.
	In keeping with the EU Common Position, DFID spent £3.4 million during 2003–04 on initiatives largely focussed on HIV/Aids and health services for the poor and on refugees. DFID's future focus will be on these areas, as well as on food security, and quality basic education for poor people. DFID has consulted with the NLD about our approach and focus.

Child Mortality (Pakistan and India)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the latest under five mortality rate is in (a) Pakistan and (b) India.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The World Bank 2003 Development Indicators records the following for under five mortality:
	(a) 109 per 1,000 live births in Pakistan in 2001, and
	(b) 93 per 1,000 live births in India in 2001.

Commission for Africa

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the budget is for the Commission for Africa, broken down by (a) staffing costs, (b) consultancy costs, (c) communication costs, (d) expenses and (e) other available budget headings.

Hilary Benn: The budget for the Commission for Africa will not be finally agreed until Commissioners have drawn up their work plans in consultation with the Commission for Africa Secretariat. This will take place over the coming month. Following these discussions the overall budget may increase and the allocation between budget headings change. The current breakdown over 14 months is:
	(a) staffing costs (including salaries, staff travel, training and office costs): £1,115,000;
	(b) consultancy costs: currently there is no budget heading covering consultancies, but we plan to use the £700,000 originally earmarked for Commissioners' staff for this purpose;
	(c) communication costs: currently there is no budget heading covering communication costs, though we have allocated £20,000 for the production of the final report;
	(d) expenses: staff travel is included within the staffing costs budget heading. The allocation for Commissioners' travelling expenses is £144,000;
	(e) Consultation meetings across Africa and elsewhere on the work of the Commission: £1,200,000;
	(f) Commission meeting costs (venue hire, meal booking, press conference costs, transcription, vehicle hire, security): £240,000.

Commission for Africa

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how many people the Commission for Africa will employ when it is fully staffed;
	(2)  how many people the Commission for Africa employs.

Hilary Benn: The Secretariat to the Commission for Africa currently consists of 14 full-time members of staff and is looking to recruit up to six more people over the next month, which will bring the staff total to 20. More staff may be recruited over the coming year to undertake expert analysis.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcomes were of the discussions that the Minister had with President Kabila, Vice President Ruberwa, Vice President Bemba and Foreign Minister Ghonda on his recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: I visited the DRC recently to discuss the transition process with the President and Vice-Presidents. We agreed that the TNG and the international community needed to focus on making the transition work by addressing the critical security issues and establishing the necessary stable environment for the elections planned for next year.

Departmental Procurement

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture.

Hilary Benn: All procurement decisions are taken on grounds of value for money. Crockery, cutlery and glassware for our staff restaurants are purchased by our catering contractors, who have operated our current London staff restaurant for 2½ years. All of the crockery and cutlery purchased was manufactured in Great Britain. Glassware is of French origin. Information regarding procurement by our previous contractors is not readily available and could be obtained only by incurring a disproportionate cost.

Early Retirement

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many employees in his Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: In the last financial year there were 19 early retirements from DFID. One retirement was on medical grounds with the remainder on compulsory terms.
	The total cost of these early retirements will be £1,609,274.97 of which £935,024.79 was paid during 2003–04.

Education Workers (Overseas Recruitment)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department's overseas offices offer to UK-based recruitment agencies in the recruitment of education workers from overseas; and how many staff in his Department were involved in offering such assistance on the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID overseas offices have not offered such assistance.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received concerning the adequacy of firefighting outfits used by Iraqi firefighters; what assessment he has made of the asbestos-lined suit they use; what plans he has to provide urgent and direct aid to upgrade the quality ofthe firefighters' outfit; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID has received no information on, nor undertaken any assessment of, the adequacy of Iraqi fire fighters' suits. Our plans for assistance to Iraq do not include the upgrading of fire fighters' suits.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what arrangements are in place for accountability of the Coalition Development Fund for Iraq; what demands for accountability have been made by the Independent Monitoring Board; what the policy is of (a) the UK Government and (b) the Coalition Provisional Authority on each demand; what has happened to the £7.6 billion surplus from the oil-for-food programme which was transferred to the Coalition Development Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: All funds in the Development Fund for Iraq are subject to audit by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB), created under UN Security Council Resolution 1483. The role of the Board is to ensure that the Development Fund for Iraq is used in a transparent manner for the benefit of the people of Iraq, and that export sales of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas from Iraq are made consistent with prevailing international market best practices. The Board consists of representatives of the UN, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
	DFID is unaware of any specific demands for accountability from the IAMB. As recorded in the statement following their 23 April meeting (www. iamb.info) the IAMB continue to work closely with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and others in the achievement of their objectives.
	Surplus funds received from the oil-for-food programme, above those required to complete existing contracts, are paid into the Development Fund for Iraq. Like other funds, including oil revenues, seized and vested assets, their allocation is decided by the CPA Programme Review Board. These allocations are then subject to IAMB oversight.

Iraq

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: In spite of continuing security problems, there is no widespread humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Iraqi Ministries, United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, NGOs and Iraqi citizens have been working together to assist people affected by the recent fighting in Falluja, and have made preparations for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance, if required, in other parts of Iraq. An Emergency Co-ordination Group has been established to ensure the effective coordination of emergency assistance in Iraq. Its membership includes UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and NGOs.
	US$32 billion in grants and soft loans was pledged for the reconstruction of Iraq at the Madrid Donors' Conference in October last year. DFID has committed £278 million to humanitarian and reconstruction work in Iraq since the beginning of 2003. Over the last year, Iraqi Ministries, together with the Coalition Provisional Authority and aid agencies, have made significant progress in restoring essential services, maintaining the Public Distribution System for food rations, reopening hospitals and schools and beginning the process of longer-term reconstruction.

Iraq

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has received about the current humanitarian situation in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: I receive representations from many sources about assistance to Iraq. Since the 2003 conflict, most of Iraq's requirements have been for reconstruction rather than for immediate humanitarian assistance. At the Madrid Donors' Conference in October last year, the Government pledged a total of £544 million in assistance to Iraq for the three years from April 2003. DFID has so far committed £278 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq since March 2003.

Primary Schools (Pakistan and India)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the ratio is of girls to boys enrolled in primary school in (a) Pakistan and (b) India.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The World Bank 2003 Development Indicators record the following for the ratio of girls to boys enrolled in primary school:
	(a) 58 per cent. for Pakistan in 2000
	(b) 83 per cent. for India in 2000.

Tuberculosis

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reasons there has   been slippage on his Department's public service agreement target to increase the tuberculosis case detection rate above 70 per cent.

Hilary Benn: The target to detect 70 per cent. of (smear positive) Tuberculosis (TB) cases globally by 2005 was set by the World Health Assembly and forms the basis for DFID's public service agreement target. Much progress has been made. In 2002 an estimated 37 per cent. of estimated new smear positive cases were notified under the internationally recommended control strategy for TB (DOTS), an increase from 27 per cent. in 2001 and halfway towards the 2005 target.
	However, even with these encouraging recent trends at current progress the case detection rate will only be 50 per cent. by 2005. Concerted international action is needed to overcome challenges to scale up effective TB programmes in high burden countries, including strengthening political commitment, health systems, human resource capacity, primary health care provision, private sector and corporate sector contributions and working with poverty reduction strategies. DFID is committed to playing its role in accelerating progress towards the 2005 target as an active member of the Stop TB partnership.

Tuberculosis

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the latest tuberculosis cure treatment rate is in each of the countries covered by his Public Service Agreement target.

Hilary Benn: The cure rates for tuberculosis in 2001, measured by Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) treatment success rate in countries where DFID has a Public Service Agreement are listed in the 2004 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Control report. Figures for 2002 are not yet available.
	
		
			Country Internationally recommended control strategy for TB (DOTS) treatment success rate (Percentage) 
		
		
			 Africa  
			 Ethiopia 76 
			 Democratic Republic of Congo 77 
			 Ghana 42 
			 Kenya 80 
			 Malawi 70 
			 Mozambique 77 
			 Nigeria 79 
			 Rwanda (8)61 
			 Sierra Leone 80 
			 South Africa 65 
			 Lesotho 71 
			 Sudan 80 
			 Tanzania 81 
			 Uganda 56 
			 Zambia 75 
			 Zimbabwe 71 
			   
			 Asia  
			 Bangladesh 84 
			 China 96 
			 Pakistan 77 
			 India 85 
		
	
	(8) in 2000–01 figure not yet known

Turkey/Armenia Border

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Department's assessment is of the economic development effects of the opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia for (a) Turkey and (b) the Caucasus states.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID has not made a detailed assessment of possible economic benefits of the opening of the border between Turkey and Armenia. In general, the opening of borders between states tends to lead to improved trade and economic growth. DFID's bilateral programme for the region promotes good-governance, conflict reduction and pro-poor economic growth. Successful implementation of these programmes will have a positive impact on the wider issues of cross border co-operation and trade.

Zimbabwe

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Department's most recent assessment is of the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.

Hilary Benn: There have been significant humanitarian needs in Zimbabwe for nearly three years as a result of the Government of Zimbabwe's misguided economic policies, including the poorly implemented fast track land programme. These needs are exacerbated by the effect of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and erratic rainfall.
	The current Emergency Operation of the World Food Programme and the general distributions by NGOs whom we fund directly are beginning to wind down as this year's crop is now being harvested. The harvest should temporarily make food available to the majority of the population.
	The Government of Zimbabwe have cancelled the joint crop assessment with WFP and FAO, claimed that they will produce 2.4 million MT of maize, and declared that international food aid will not be needed this year. The UK and other donors do not believe that the Zimbabwean Government's crop forecast is credible and regret the cancellation of the joint crop assessment which would have provided an internationally accepted basis on which to plan for humanitarian operations later this year. The UN and the rest of the international community have consistently made clear to the Zimbabwean authorities that their lack of transparency in dealing with humanitarian issues, including their plans to import food, makes it more difficult for us to   respond effectively. We and other donors will nevertheless continue to work with the UN and other agencies to monitor the humanitarian position in Zimbabwe. Households most likely to be in need of assistance will be those with no access to land or income that are also affected by HIV/AIDS or include orphans, disabled children and the elderly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Business Regulation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 28 April 2004, Official Report, column 1151W, on business regulation, how many regulatory impact statements have been issued by her Department in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: This information could only be obtained by a manual sift.
	The Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) is a paragraph that can be included in the Cabinet paper or ministerial letter to colleagues seeking collective agreement to a proposals that impacts on business.

Call Centre Industry

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of future employment prospects in the UK call centre industry.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department published on 6 May a report of the study we commissioned to look at the competitiveness of the UK call and contact centre industry. The study which covers a wide range of call centre issues forecasts that the UK industry is to gain around 200,000 jobs in the next three years, directly employing over a million people by 2007.

Energy Supply

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the governments of (a) Russia, (b) Algeria, (c) Qatar and (d) other countries, in connection with securing supplies of gas for importing to the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Chapter six of the Energy White Paper clearly lays out our policy with regard to the security of gas supplies for the UK. Para 6.5 states:
	"Our role is to continually monitor developments, and to create   a competitive market place, including through good international relations, within which liberalised markets will deliver energy reliability."
	To this end my Ministers and officials have over the past year held a number of meetings with representatives of foreign governments.
	On June 26 2003 during the State Visit of President Putin of Russia we held the "Russia UK Energy Conference: Long Term Partners" bringing together politicians, officials and the private sectors from both countries to discuss possible areas for energy cooperation. The event culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in which the UK and Russia agreed to work closely together on the North European Gas Pipeline. During the visit I met with Deputy Prime Minister Kudrin and discussed a wide range of matters.
	This event was followed up by a UK Russia Energy Roundtable held in London on 3 March 2004 at which the public and private sectors of both the UK and Russia came together to share perspectives on the development of Russia's hydrocarbon reserves.
	On 2 October 2003, I announced the agreement of the key principles of a Framework Agreement with Norway which will among other things govern the building of a pipeline to supply Norwegian gas from the Ormen Lange field to the UK. It is anticipated that the agreement itself will be complete by the end of 2004 and the pipeline will become operational by 2007.
	On Thursday 26 February 2004 I met with Mr. Khelil, the Energy Minister of Algeria. The BP/Sonatrach joint venture aimed at bringing new supplies of LNG to the UK was among other matters discussed
	On Wednesday 10 March 2004 I met with the Qatari Minister of Energy H.E. Abdullah Hamad Al Attiyah. The possibility of Exxon Mobil supplying Qatari LNG to the UK on a long-term contract was amongst other matters discussed.
	I will lead a British Government delegation to the International Energy Forum to be held in Amsterdam from May 22 to 24 2004. This is a major opportunity for discussion on oil and gas security issues both on a bilateral and multilateral basis with representatives of key producing states.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in agreeing the future financial governance of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Mike O'Brien: ECGD's governance arrangements have recently been strengthened with the creation of the new position of Chair of its Management Board, to work alongside the Chief Executive. Both these positions have recently been filled by appointees from the private sector, who will bring valuable commercial experience to ECGD. Further changes to financial governance will be put in place with the establishment of a Trading Fund; Ministers are presently considering the arrangements for this and an announcement will be made in due course.

Invest-UK

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the resource budget of Invest-UK was in each year between 1999 and 2002.

Mike O'Brien: The resource budgets of Invest UK (and its forerunner the Invest In Britain Bureau) for financial years 1999–2000 to 2001–02 were as follows:
	1999–2000
	£17.8 million, of which £11.1 million was allocated to grant in aid for Regional Development Agencies; £4.1million to Invest UK promotional expenditure, and £2.6 million to local running costs.
	2000–01
	£20.9 million, of which £12.2 million was allocated to grant in aid for Regional Development Agencies; £6.1 million to Invest UK promotional expenditure, and £2.6 million to local running costs.
	2001 1–02
	£21.0 million, of which £12.4 million was allocated to grant in aid for Regional Development Agencies; £5.7 million to Invest UK promotional expenditure, and £2.9 million to local running costs.
	1  2001–02 was the first year that departmental Resource Accounts were prepared on an accruals basis.

Miners' Compensation Scheme

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average number of coal health compensation claims settled each month was in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales since the scheme began; how many claims are awaiting settlement; and what the timetable is for settling outstanding claims.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 6 May 2004 the figures for Respiratory Disease are as follows:
	
		
			  Month settled England Scotland Wales Total 
		
		
			 1996 January 2 — 3 5 
			 1996 February 10 1 14 25 
			 1996 April — — 1 1 
			 1996 May 1 — 1 2 
			 1996 June 3 — — 3 
			 1997 September 2 — — 2 
			 1997 October — 1 — 1 
			 1997 December 2 2 — 4 
			 1998 January 1 1 — 2 
			 1998 February 2 1 2 5 
			 1998 March 12 1 2 15 
			 1998 April 10 — 2 12 
			 1998 May 18 1 1 20 
			 1998 June 21 — 2 23 
			 1998 July 36 — 4 40 
			 1998 August 10 — 1 11 
			 1998 September 5 — 37 42 
			 1998 October 14 1 1 16 
			 1998 November 12 — — 12 
			 1998 December 12 — 2 14 
			 1999 January 10 1 3 14 
			 1999 February 2 — 1 3 
			 1999 March 28 — 3 31 
			 1999 April 16 — 7 23 
			 1999 May 22 2 18 42 
			 1999 June 20 — 4 24 
			 1999 July 46 — 13 59 
			 1999 August 41 — 11 52 
			 1999 September 91 5 93 189 
			 1999 October 120 21 76 217 
			 1999 November 157 78 63 298 
			 1999 December 120 36 38 194 
			 2000 January 344 50 63 457 
			 2000 February 345 13 110 468 
			 2000 March 346 13 104 463 
			 2000 April 252 23 54 329 
			 2000 May 161 48 48 257 
			 2000 June 274 50 47 371 
			 2000 July 253 11 61 325 
			 2000 August 217 17 30 264 
			 2000 September 190 14 31 235 
			 2000 October 140 2 19 161 
			 2000 November 352 19 56 427 
			 2000 December 794 6 100 900 
			 2001 January 830 16 109 955 
			 2001 February 779 234 79 1,092 
			 2001 March 1,199 164 80 1,443 
			 2001 April 623 41 58 722 
			 2001 May 619 46 88 753 
			 2001 June 441 31 90 562 
			 2001 July 808 47 145 1,000 
			 2001 August 717 53 125 895 
			 2001 September 936 41 107 1,084 
			 2001 October 1,091 79 128 1,298 
			 2001 November 826 86 384 1,296 
			 2001 December 645 58 208 911 
			 2002 January 1,009 70 303 1,382 
			 2002 February 1,179 74 452 1,705 
			 2002 March 1,148 66 529 1,743 
			 2002 April 1,272 80 520 1,872 
			 2002 May 1,447 85 711 2,243 
			 2002 June 1,033 90 981 2,104 
			 2002 July 1,836 138 695 2,669 
			 2002 August 1,386 92 653 2,131 
			 2002 September 2,302 143 1,303 3,748 
			 2002 October 3,066 277 1,836 5,179 
			 2002 November 3,497 383 1,365 5,245 
			 2002 December 2,167 340 1,211 3,718 
			 2003 January 3,768 277 1,229 5,274 
			 2003 February 3,472 236 1,172 4,880 
			 2003 March 3,594 273 1,000 4,867 
			 2003 April 3,091 283 910 4,284 
			 2003 May 2,943 302 741 3,986 
			 2003 June 3,159 366 1,007 4,532 
			 2003 July 3,580 256 818 4,654 
			 2003 August 3,164 191 992 4,347 
			 2003 September 3,571 347 888 4,806 
			 2003 October 4,254 402 906 5,562 
			 2003 November 3,025 366 920 4,311 
			 2003 December 3,006 283 670 3,959 
			 2004 January 3,801 238 693 4,732 
			 2004 February 3,525 342 585 4,452 
			 2004 March 4,662 397 785 5,844 
			 2004 April 4,074 448 701 5,223 
			 Total Settlements 92,059 8,159 27,303 127,521 
			 Total Receipts 426,470 41,133 90,480 558,083 
			 Total Outstanding 334,411 32,974 63,177 430,562 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Total settlements include claims settled by denial/withdrawal.
	2. Claim receipts are those claims that are fully registered. These figures exclude claims registered partially on the website (yet to be fully registered within ICMS due to a submission error during input) and claims held within the holding policy (pool of claims accepted with minimum data, awaiting further information to permit cross referencing and duplicate checks prior to full registration).
	With regard to the timetable for settling outstanding claims, I refer my hon. Friend to House of Lords, Official Report, of 21 April 2004, column WA49.
	As of 6 May 2004 the figures for Vibration White Finger are as follows:
	
		
			  Month settled England Scotland Wales Total 
		
		
			 1996 January 139 2 1 142 
			 1996 February 2 2 — 4 
			 1996 April 1 — — 1 
			 1996 May 3 — — 3 
			 1996 June 3 — 2 5 
			 1996 July 2 — — 2 
			 1996 August 1 — — 1 
			 1996 November 1 — — 1 
			 1997 February 1 — — 1 
			 1997 April 15 — 14 29 
			 1997 May 28 9 32 69 
			 1997 June 89 35 23 147 
			 1997 July 55 56 49 160 
			 1997 August 54 55 27 136 
			 1997 September 93 41 72 206 
			 1997 October 33 20 13 66 
			 1997 November 31 13 32 76 
			 1997 December 23 38 11 72 
			 1998 January 44 18 28 90 
			 1998 February 50 75 107 232 
			 1998 March 87 29 50 166 
			 1998 April 58 18 40 116 
			 1998 May 91 18 21 130 
			 1998 June 75 45 32 152 
			 1998 July 102 68 41 211 
			 1998 August 47 21 23 91 
			 1998 September 38 40 19 97 
			 1998 October 100 30 8 138 
			 1998 November 164 27 36 227 
			 1998 December 179 18 12 209 
			 1999 January 67 6 17 90 
			 1999 February 38 3 3 44 
			 1999 March 93 1 26 120 
			 1999 April 180 7 15 202 
			 1999 May 236 22 15 273 
			 1999 June 185 32 24 241 
			 1999 July 212 16 211 439 
			 1999 August 288 12 76 376 
			 1999 September 313 16 60 389 
			 1999 October 360 14 130 504 
			 1999 November 412 19 196 627 
			 1999 December 382 13 173 568 
			 2000 January 286 49 95 430 
			 2000 February 280 22 36 338 
			 2000 March 405 32 90 527 
			 2000 April 245 30 61 336 
			 2000 May 328 53 132 513 
			 2000 June 431 84 153 668 
			 2000 July 316 104 113 533 
			 2000 August 350 32 76 458 
			 2000 September 245 43 70 358 
			 2000 October 374 59 122 555 
			 2000 November 359 22 68 449 
			 2000 December 217 15 48 280 
			 2001 January 296 226 78 600 
			 2001 February 414 61 98 573 
			 2001 March 584 38 116 738 
			 2001 April 455 153 99 707 
			 2001 May 583 80 104 767 
			 2001 June 525 37 94 656 
			 2001 July 740 68 211 1,019 
			 2001 August 771 43 179 993 
			 2001 September 745 51 133 929 
			 2001 October 1,994 109 413 2,516 
			 2001 November 492 45 136 673 
			 2001 December 395 32 100 527 
			 2002 January 1,113 134 270 1,517 
			 2002 February 1,467 59 175 1,701 
			 2002 March 2,391 56 292 2,739 
			 2002 April 3,944 119 467 4,530 
			 2002 May 1,987 113 446 2,546 
			 2002 June 1,057 54 181 1,292 
			 2002 July 1,157 48 149 1,354 
			 2002 August 910 34 135 1,079 
			 2002 September 683 36 154 873 
			 2002 October 1,343 85 182 1,610 
			 2002 November 1,102 129 256 1,487 
			 2002 December 1,393 45 294 1,732 
			 2003 January 1,954 54 452 2,460 
			 2003 February 1,610 58 319 1,987 
			 2003 March 2,390 112 504 3,006 
			 2003 April 1,767 115 244 2,126 
			 2003 May 3,074 143 284 3,501 
			 2003 June 2,930 115 225 3,270 
			 2003 July 2,868 74 360 3,302 
			 2003 August 2,077 82 182 2,341 
			 2003 September 2,111 146 201 2,458 
			 2003 October 2,921 80 166 3,167 
			 2003 November 2,496 122 299 2,917 
			 2003 December 2,344 84 114 2,542 
			 2004 January 2,444 75 181 2,700 
			 2004 February 1,410 64 130 1,604 
			 2004 March 1,606 79 295 1,980 
			 2004 April 1,696 106 183 1,985 
			 Total Settlements 70,450 4,748 11,604 86,802 
			 Total Receipts 137,158 11,480 20,936 169,574 
			 Total Outstanding 66,708 6,732 9,332 82,772 
		
	
	Most general damage claims for VWF should be settled in 2005 with most claims for Services settled in 2007.

Nuclear Installations

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade   and Industry what recent assessment she has received on the adequacy of protection measures against malevolent adversaries and terrorists at nuclear installations.

Stephen Timms: My officials are in frequent contact with the Office for Civil Nuclear Security about security arrangements and the protection of civil nuclear sites.
	It is not Government policy to disclose the substance of those discussions and assessments, since such information may be of potential use to terrorists. However, the Director of Civil Nuclear Security publishes an annual report on the state of security in the civil nuclear industry and the effectiveness of security regulation. His next report is due this summer.

Post Office Closures

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have been closed in (a) Cambridgeshire and (b) the constituency of Huntingdon in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: I am advised by Post Office Ltd. that data on post office closures by county or Parliamentary constituency is not available in the form requested as the company does not require this data for its operational purposes. However, I understand that since March 2000 the company has recorded details of post office closures on the basis of Government region and in the East of England region as a whole, the numbers of net closures were as follows:
	
		Region: East of England
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000–01 70 
			 2001–02 21 
			 2002–03 33 
		
	
	Post Office Ltd. produces statistics on post office closures on a quarterly basis. The latest data on net closures by region currently available for year 2003–04 is to the end of December 2003. Data for the quarter to end March 2004 is expected shortly. There were 61 net closures of post offices in the East of England region to the end of December 2003. These figures include a total of 55 closures in the East of England region under the urban reinvention programme since its commencement in late 2002.

Renewable Energy

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to make it obligatory for renewable energy developers to deliver community benefit.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 12 May 2004
	I have no   plans to do so. However the Department is commissioning a study of the actual and potential impact of community benefits schemes on the deployment of renewable, especially wind, energy projects.

Renewable Energy

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to facilitate negotiations between renewable energy developers and local communities affected by wind farm development regarding the calculation and delivery of community benefit.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 12 May 2004
	The community impact of wind farm developments, and any possible compensating benefits, should be addressed through the planning process in the normal way.
	The Department is commissioning a study of the actual and potential impact of community benefits schemes on the deployment of renewable, especially wind, energy projects.

Renewable Energy

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the effect of trends in renewable energy upon residents in Wirral, South.

Stephen Timms: As I far as I am aware recent trends in investment have not led directly to new renewables capacity in Wirral South itself. For details of developments in the surrounding Liverpool area I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) on 25 March 2004, Official Report, column 1109W, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 28 April 2004, Official Report, columns 1162–63W and my hon. Friend the Member for Bootle (Mr. Benton) on 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 248W.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Accountancy Services

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) nature and (b) value was of all contracts, consultancies or other services placed with the accountancy firms (i) Deloitte & Touche, (ii) Ernst & Young, (iii) KPMG and (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers since 2000–01 by the Department and its agencies.

Yvette Cooper: Since the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established on 29 May 2002, the value of contracts placed with the suppliers detailed in the question are listed as follows, along with the values of those let by agencies. The nature of all the contracts can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		£
		
			 ODPM  
		
		
			 Deloitte & Touche 1,279,920 
			 Ernst & Young 12,120,102 
			 KPMG 3,329,904 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 5,108,650 
			   
			 The Planning Inspectorate  
			 KPMG 156,921 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 17,625 
			   
			 The Fire Service College  
			 Deliotte & Touche 9,037 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 68,258 
		
	
	The QE2 Conference Centre has not placed any contracts with the consultancy firms in question.

Deprivation

Richard Burden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements are being made with (a) local authorities and (b) other agencies to publish by district council information on pockets of deprivation identified by the new index of deprivation.

Yvette Cooper: The Indices of Deprivation 2004, published on 26 April, contains information on small pockets of deprivation. These are known as super output areas and cover between 1,000 and 3,000 people. The published information contains a rank and score for each super output area as well as the local authority and Government office region in which it is located.

Fire Service

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to ensure that fire services for which their departments are responsible are aware of the Government's commitment to a change agenda following the Independent Review of the Fire Service.

Nick Raynsford: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister meets with Cabinet colleagues on a regular basis. Ministers and officials of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are also in regular contact with colleagues from other Government Departments in the course of Government business, including matters relating to the modernisation agenda for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Grahame Park

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether Barnet council is meeting the terms of his Department's grant for neighbourhood wardens for Grahame Park; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government Office for London have pursued the issue of whether Barnet council has complied with the terms of their funding in 2003–04. It is the understanding of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that they have done so. We have been advised however that since August 2003, Barnet has not been supporting the eight street wardens and four neighbourhood wardens for annual leave, sickness and training under the scheme. Also because of where the base station has been located, wardens were spending 30 minutes of their duty at the beginning and end of the day travelling to and from Grahame Park. Funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for wardens schemes in Barnet began in December 2000 and ceased on 31 March 2004. Future funding is a matter for local agencies. Over 80 per cent. of the first round of warden schemes have already secured ongoing funding.

Green Belt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2004, Official Report, columns 1331–32W, on Green Belt, 
	(1)  if he will estimate how much land was used for such developments in (a) 1999 and (b) each year since 2001 for which figures are available;
	(2)  if he will estimate how much land was used for such developments in (a) 1999 and (b) each year since 2001 for which figures are available;.
	(3)  if he will estimate the number of such developments in (a) 1999 and (b) each year since 2001 for which figures are available.

Keith Hill: The answers referred to gave the full extent of information currently available. Land Use Change Statistics are derived from Ordnance Survey's map revision process. In urban areas Ordnance Survey records mostly change within six months of the development taking place but in rural areas there can be up to five years between a change taking place and its recording by Ordnance Survey. Early estimates of percentages of dwellings that are on previously developed land and of dwellings per hectare on new developments have been found to be robust and are published early. Totals of land or dwellings, however, continue to increase as further data come in and at present only the 2000 figures are close enough to their final values to be published. There was a particular problem with the 1999 data, which is incomplete and will remain so.

Housing Stock Transfer

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has for bringing housing in local housing authorities where tenants have voted against stock transfers or Arms Length Management Organisations up to the decent homes standards specified in Labour's 2001 manifesto.

Keith Hill: Where local authorities need additional funds over and above the substantial increases this government has made to funding for council housing, they have three options, establishing an Arms Length Management Organisation, using the Private Finance Initiative or transfers or their stock to a registered social landlord. If tenants reject all of these options then we will respect their decision. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no proposals for providing additional resources above the three options. It is for local authorities with their tenants to work through the Options Appraisal process and to reach a decision from the options available.

Local Government Finance

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the standard spending assessment for youth and   community in (a) Cambridgeshire and (b) the constituency of Huntingdon (i) was in each of the last five years and (ii) is for 2004–05.

Nick Raynsford: The Youth and Community block is a sub-block within the Education service block and was introduced in 2003–04. In the same year the Government replaced Standard Spending Assessments (SSA) with Formula Spending Shares (FSS). Huntingdonshire is a district council and does therefore not provide Education services. The Youth and Community FSS figures for Cambridgeshire are:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2003–04 4,036.647 
			 2004–05 4,211.442

Local Government Finance

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which   local authorities have been capped in the last 25 years.

Nick Raynsford: The local authorities capped each year in England were:
	
		
			  Local authorities 
		
		
			 1985–86 Basildon; Brent; Camden; Greenwich; Hackney; Haringey; Islington; Lambeth; Leicester; Lewisham; Portsmouth; Sheffield; Southwark; Thamesdown 
			 1986–87 Basildon; Camden; Greenwich; Hackney; Haringey; Islington; Lambeth; Lewisham; Liverpool; Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Southwark; Thamesdown 
			 1987–88 Basildon; Brent; Brighton; Camden; Gateshead; Greenwich; Hackney; Haringey; Hounslow; Islington; Lambeth; Lewisham; Middlesbrough; Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Newham; North Tyneside; Sheffield; Southwark; Thamesdown; Tower Hamlets 
			 1988–89 Basildon; Camden; Ealing; Greenwich; Hackney; Haringey; Hull; Lambeth; Lewisham; Liverpool; Manchester; Middlesbrough; Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Southwark; Thamesdown; Tower Hamlets; Waltham Forest 
			 1989–90 Camden; Greenwich; Hackney; Lewisham; Southwark; Thamesdown; Tower Hamlets 
			 1990–91 Avon; Barnsley; Basildon; Brent; Bristol; Calderdale; Camden; Derbyshire; Doncaster; Greenwich; Hammersmith and Fulham; Haringey; Hillingdon; Islington; Lambeth; North Tyneside; Rochdale; Rotherham; Southwark; St. Helens; Wigan 
			 1991–92 Basildon; Bristol; Greenwich; Ipswich; Lambeth; Langbaurgh; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; Norwich; Reading; Somerset; Stoke; Warwickshire; Wirral 
			 1992–93 Basildon; Cheltenham; Gloucester; Gloucestershire; Greenwich; Hillingdon; Lambeth; Langbaurgh; Middlesbrough; Warwickshire 
			 1993–94 Castle Point; Gloucestershire; Harlow 
			 1994–95 Langbaurgh; Sheffield; Slough 
			 1995–96 Norwich; Barnsley; Sheffield; Newcastle upon Tyne; Devon; Gloucestershire; Shropshire 
			 1996–97 Cambridgeshire; Oxfordshire 
			 1997–98 Oxfordshire; Somerset; Warwickshire 
			 1998–99 Derbyshire 
		
	
	Capping legislation was originally introduced in 1984. More flexible reserve capping powers were taken in 1999. These have not been used until this year. My Statement in the House on 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1019, sets out the action the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is taking this year.

Local Government Finance

Diana Organ: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what   the standard spending assessment for youth and community services in Gloucestershire (a) was in each   of the last four financial years and (b) is for 2004–05.

Nick Raynsford: The youth and community block is a   sub-block within the education service block and was   introduced in 2003–04. In the same year the Government replaced standard spending assessments (SSA) with formula spending shares (FSS). The youth and community FSS figures for Gloucestershire are:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2003–04 4,138,595 
			 2004–05 4,303,748

Ministerial Visits

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if   he will list visits made by each Minister in the Department between December 2003 and April 2004, broken down by (a) date, (b) constituency visited and (c) cost.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of   the number and percentage of registered voters for   the pending national election in each province of Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: According to the Afghanistan Joint Electoral Monitoring Body, as of 6 May a total of 2,033,568 Afghans (approximately 20 per cent.) have been registered to vote, of whom 30 per cent. (615,818) are women. Following is a regional breakdown.
	
		
			 Regional breakdown Number 
		
		
			 Central 837,650 
			 East 299,416 
			 North East 150,790 
			 South East 49,844 
			 Central Highlands 46,576 
			 North 212,568 
			 South 143,846 
			 West 292,878 
		
	
	Phase I of voter registration (in Kabul and regional centres) has been completed. Phase II (designed to reach more rural areas) was launched on 1 May.
	The UK is committed to supporting the electoral process. Last year we contributed £10.55 million to support election registration. We have pledged a further £0.5 million for voter education and £2.77 million to support preparations for the elections themselves.

British Citizens (Imprisonment Abroad)

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were imprisoned abroad in each of the last three years, broken down by country of imprisonment.

Chris Mullin: The total number of British citizens detained overseas in the last three years is:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002–03 7,861 
			 2001–02 7,499 
			 2000–01 8,428 
		
	
	I have placed a breakdown by country of imprisonment and British Posts for 2002–03 in the Library of the House. It would incur disproportionate costs to provide a breakdown by country for those detained in 2001–02 and 2000–01. However, the following tables show those British Posts recording the highest numbers of British citizens detained for the last three years:
	
		2000–01
		
			 Post Numbers detained Percentage of British citizens detained compared to all overseas Posts Country 
		
		
			 Ibiza 2,006 24 Spain 
			 Malaga 394 5 Spain 
			 Tenerife 296 4 Spain 
			 Orlando 296 4 USA 
			 Lille 292 3 France 
			 Los Angeles 253 3 USA 
			 New York 229 3 USA 
			 Sydney 220 3 Australia 
			 Alicante 216 3 Spain 
			 Houston 155 2 USA 
			 Total 4,357 52 — 
		
	
	
		2001–02
		
			 Post Numbers detained Percentage of British citizens detained compared to all overseas Posts Country 
		
		
			 Ibiza 1,531 20 Spain 
			 Orlando 492 7 USA 
			 Tenerife 318 4 Spain 
			 Lille 272 4 France 
			 Los Angeles 257 3 USA 
			 New York 243 3 USA 
			 Kingston 230 3 Jamaica 
			 Palma 229 3 Spain 
			 Athens 190 3 Greece 
			 Sydney 164 2 Australia 
			 Total 3,926 52 — 
		
	
	
		2002–03
		
			 Post Numbers detained Percentage of British citizens detained compared to all overseas Posts Country 
		
		
			 Malaga 619 8 Spain 
			 Orlando 546 7 USA 
			 Houston 391 5 USA 
			 Los Angeles 384 5 USA 
			 New York 327 4 USA 
			 Tenerife 315 4 Spain 
			 Sydney 246 3 Australia 
			 Alicante 231 3 Spain 
			 Palma 227 3 Spain 
			 Dublin 225 3 Ireland 
			 Total 3,511 45 —

British Citizens (Imprisonment Abroad)

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were sentenced to life imprisonment abroad in each of the last three years, broken down by country of imprisonment; and how many of these sentences were revised on appeal.

Chris Mullin: The number of British Nationals detained in prisons overseas is collected on a quarterly and annual basis by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The data is not categorised by the length of sentence received and only represents those prisoners who have asked the local authorities to inform the British consulate of their arrest or who request consular assistance.

Burma

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Department's assessment is of (a) the Burmese Government's seven point road map to democracy and (b) the proposed national constitutional convention.

Mike O'Brien: We are encouraged by the State Peace and Development Council's plans to reconvene the National Convention on 17 May to draft a new constitution, the first step of the road map outlined by Prime Minister Khin Nyunt on 30 August 2003. But it is essential that the National Convention is an inclusive, transparent process with a clear time frame. All political parties and ethnic groups should be invited to join the Convention, and to select their representatives freely. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other National League for Democracy (NLD) members should be released immediately to allow them to prepare their approach to the National Convention.
	Without the participation of the NLD, the Convention will lack all credibility. There must be full freedom of debate and speech in the Convention and freedom of activity and association for political parties and ethnic groups. This includes ensuring that the 104   principles of the previous National Convention (1993–1996) are open for debate. Freedom from prosecution for views expressed on the Convention must be guaranteed.

Burma

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Department has had with the Burmese Government regarding the (a) recent opening of the National League for Democracy's headquarters in Rangoon and (b) the continued closure of its other offices.

Mike O'Brien: We welcome the recent opening ofthe National League for Democracy's (NLD) headquarters in Rangoon. We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to re-open all NLD offices throughout Burma.

Burma

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with the Burmese Government regarding the possible release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mike O'Brien: We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to fully release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners and to allow them to play an active role in national reconciliation in Burma.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 6 April with regard to Mr. Mehrat Din and Muhammed Aqdas Din.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied on 28 April.

Departmental Staff

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of policy entrants to his Department in each of the last five years attended public or independent schools.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		Policy entrants
		
			  Percentage from independent schools 
		
		
			 1999 60 
			 2000 64 
			 2001 48 
			 2002 24 
			 2003 37 
		
	
	The recruitment section records school information as "independent" (which includes public schools) or "comprehensive".

Departmental Staff

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the members of the Departmental Board are, broken down by (a) gender, (b) race or ethnicity, (c) whether they attended public or independent school and (d) whether they attended Oxford University or Cambridge University; and how long each has been in post.

Jack Straw: The Data Protection Act prevents us from providing information about the ethnicity or race of   individuals. The members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Board, and the background information requested, as published in Who's Who, is as follows:
	Sir Michael Jay—Sir Michael has been in his current post for two years. He was educated at Oxford and London Universities, and Winchester College.
	Sir Stephen Brown—Sir Stephen has been in his current post for two years. He was educated at Sussex University, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Leeds Grammar School.
	John Sawers— John Sawers has been in his current post for one year. He was educated at Nottingham University, and Beechen Cliff School, Bath.
	Kim Darroch—Kim Darroch has been in his current post for one year. He was educated at Durham University, and Abingdon School.
	Martin Donnelly—Martin Donnelly has been in his current post for two months. He was educated at Oxford University and Saint Ignatius College.
	William Ehrman—William Ehrman has been in his current post for two years. He was educated at Cambridge University, and Eton.
	Richard Stagg—Richard Stagg has been in his current post for   one year. He was educated at Oxford University, and Winchester College.
	David Warren—David Warren has been in his current post for three months. He was educated at Oxford University, and Epsom College.
	Simon Fraser—Simon Fraser has been in his current post for two years. He was educated at Cambridge University, and St. Paul's School.
	Simon Gass—Simon Gass has been in his current post for three years. He was educated at Reading University, and Eltham College.
	The Board also has two non-executive members, Allan Gormly, Chairman of BPB Industries, and Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Director of Corporate Affairs, Tesco plc.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office needs to be, and to be seen to be, representative of the diverse UK population as a whole; we are committed to achieving this and now have 21 female and two minority ethnic heads of posts. But we are aware that we have some way to go.

Iraq

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supports the establishment of a United Nations mediator to Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The Government supports a vital and developing role for the United Nations in Iraq. The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Lakhdar Brahimi, is already playing an important role building an Iraqi consensus on the formation of an Interim Government by 30 June. We welcome his proposals and look forward to working with him and the people of Iraq on developing them. We also welcome the role of Carina Perelli, Head of the UN's Elections Assistance Division, whose proposals for the preparations for elections in early 2005 have been agreed by the Iraqi Governing Council.

Iraq

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage those responsible for the final Iraq constitution to amend the constitution so that the target of 25 per cent. of women in political positions in the interim constitution becomes a minimum requirement.

Bill Rammell: The Transitional National Assembly will be formed by democratic elections by early 2005. The Transitional Administrative Law stipulates that the electoral law shall aim to achieve the goal of having women constitute no less than one quarter of the National Assembly. The members of that Assembly will draft the Iraqi constitution, which will then be ratified by a referendum. We would expect democratically-elected members to ensure appropriate representation of women and we will ensure they are fully aware of the Government's policy of encouraging this.

Libya

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government has made to the Libyan Government concerning the sentencing to death of five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor for allegedly infecting children with HIV; what discussions the Government has held with European partners on this matter; what plans the Government has to raise this matter at the UN Commission on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean telephoned Libyan Foreign Minister Shalgam on 9 May to express our concern at the verdict. The EU Troika met Mr. Shalgam during the EuroMed Ministerial in Dublin on 6 May to highlight the EU's concern at the court's decision and underline that a satisfactory resolution to this case is a factor in the further improvement of Libya's relations with the EU. I spoke immediately after the verdicts were handed down to Bulgarian Foreign Minister Passy to offer our support. The next session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights will take place in spring 2005. The Government will consider nearer the time whether action in that forum is appropriate.

Nigeria

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with the Nigerian Government regarding the issue of people trafficking.

Denis MacShane: The British High Commission in Abuja is in regular contact with the Nigerian National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons to identify ways to intensify co-operation to prevent trafficking in human beings. President Obasanjo has recently appointed a Special Assistant on Trafficking who is charged with establishing a National Strategy.

Nigeria

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with EU partners on the situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: holding answer 12 May 2004
	The situation in Darfur was discussed at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 26 April. Since then it has also been discussed by the Political and Security Committee, the Africa Working Group and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Working Group. Our Ambassador in Khartoum, as a member of the local EU Troika, took part in a demarche on the acting Foreign Minister on the subject of Darfur on 8 May.
	I met the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail on 11 May in London.

Nigeria

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the relationship between the Janjaweed militias and the Sudanese Government in Darfur.

Jack Straw: holding answer 12 May 2004
	According to reports from the UN and non-governmental organisations, the Janjaweed militias have been operating in close coordination with the forces of the Government of Sudan. The Secretary of State for International Development and I made clear to the Sudanese Foreign Minister, during his visit on 11 May, that the Sudanese Government has an obligation to protect its civilians and must act now to rein in the Janjaweed militias.

Nigeria

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent report commissioned by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Darfur.

Jack Straw: holding answer 12 May 2004
	The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has recently issued a report on its visit to Darfur, western Sudan. The Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights briefed the Security Council on the content of this report on 7 May, highlighting the seriousness of the humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur. We are studying the recommendations in the report and considering the best way in which to take these forward.
	We have called on all parties to abide by the cease-fire and stop targeting civilians. I met the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 11 May and made clear that the human rights abuses and breaches of international humanitarian law are unacceptable and must stop, and that the Sudanese Government has a responsibility to rein in the Janjaweed militias which are responsible for many of the worst atrocities.

Sudan

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent vote in the UN Human Rights Commission concerning the human rights situation in Western Sudan, with particular reference to the Government's position on the two defeated amendments to the Human Rights Commission's decision on the Sudan moved by the United States.

Jack Straw: holding answer 12 May 2004
	The language of the Commission on Human Rights decision on Sudan was disappointingly weak. But it was a better outcome than last year, as the decision mandates an independent expert to provide formal international scrutiny of the human rights situation in Sudan. The EU insisted on the establishment of an independent expert to carry out this work. Such international scrutiny has been lacking since the end of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur when the EU-sponsored Sudan Resolution was defeated at last year's Commission on Human Rights.
	We fully supported the draft EU Item 9 Resolution on Sudan, but Commission on Human Rights procedure meant that an alternative draft decision on Sudan, tabled by the African Group under a different agenda item, took precedence. We also supported the two amendments to the decision proposed by the US, but these were defeated in a vote.

Syria

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Department has had with the Syrian government regarding the recent arrest of the lawyer and human rights activist Aktham Naisse.

Bill Rammell: We regularly raise our concerns about Syria's human rights record, bilaterally and in conjunction with EU partners. Our Ambassador to Damascus was a member of the EU Troika which demarched the Syrian government on the arrest of Aktham Naisse on 26 April 2004.

Vietnam

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Department has had with the Vietnamese Government regarding human rights abuses against the Central Highlands minority Christian population.

Mike O'Brien: I raised human rights and the situation in the Central Highlands with the Vietnamese government during my visit to Vietnam in March. We are very concerned about the recent violence in the region, and the reported deaths of several protesters. Our Ambassador in Hanoi expressed our concern to the Vietnamese government on 16 April and I subsequently discussed the issue with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister on 4 May, and with Deputy Foreign Minister Le Van Bang, whom I met in London on 5 May. The EU has also made representations, calling on the Vietnamese authorities to respect fully international human rights standards in their response to demonstrations; to allow the international community access to the area; and to address the grievances of the ethnic minority people in the Central Highlands.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Apprenticeships

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding will be made available for the establishment of (a) Young Apprenticeships, (b) Pre-Apprenticeships, (c) Apprenticeships and (d) Advanced-Apprenticeships in the next financial year.

Ivan Lewis: For Young Apprenticeships £3.5 million is available in the programme's first academic year 2004/05. Funding of Apprenticeship programmes post 16 are a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Apprenticeships

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many residents of Stockton, South have undertaken apprenticeships in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not available at parliamentary constituency level. However, figures are available for Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas and, prior to the creation of the LSC, Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) areas. The following table shows the number of starts on modern apprenticeships in Tees Valley LSC area between April 2001 and the end of July 2003, as well as the number of starts from April 1998 to March 2001 in Tees Valley TEC area.
	
		
			 Time period 1 TEC/LSC Advanced MA Foundation MA 
		
		
			 April 1998 to March 1999 Tees Valley TEC 1,700 400 
			 April 1999 to March 2000 Tees Valley TEC 1,900 3,100 
			 April 2000 to March 2001 Tees Valley TEC 2,100 3,300 
			 April 2001 to July 2002 Tees Valley LSC 1,000 3,200 
			 August 2002 to July 2003 Tees Valley LSC 900 2,600 
		
	
	(9) TECs reported figures in financial years. LSC reports figures in academic years. The first LSC 'year' was 16 months in order to bring the financial year figures into line with academic years.
	Note:
	All figures rounded to nearest 100.
	Sources:
	TEC Management Information.
	LSC Individualised Learner Record.

Bootle Schools

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Bootle deemed to be failing since 1997 have since reached satisfactory standards.

David Miliband: One school in Bootle has been deemed to be failing since 1997 and has subsequently reached satisfactory standards.

Bullying

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many instances of bullying were recorded in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Brent in each year since 1997; and what the average figures for (i) English borough councils and (ii) London boroughs were in each year.

Ivan Lewis: Data on bullying are not collected centrally and there is no reliable basis for an estimate of prevalence. However, any level of bullying is too high and we are determined to help schools to tackle the problem. Our guidance pack 'Bullying: Don't Suffer in   Silence' and the anti-bullying Charter and the anti-bullying website www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying offer detailed advice on preventing and addressing bullying. In November 2003 I launched our anti-bullying Charter for schools, which schools are now signing. It is accompanied by a summary of effective practice to help schools review and enhance their anti-bullying policies. The Charter was launched at the first of a series of regional conferences which have been running since November 2003 and culminate with a final conference in June. These conferences are an opportunity for schools and other partners to share good practice on this issue. Details of the conferences can be accessed online at www.teachernet.gov.uk/antibullying.

Class Sizes (Wigan)

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Wigan were taught in classes of more than 30 (a) in 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested is shown in the table, final figures for 1997 and 2003 plus latest provisional figures for 2004 have been provided.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools (10): number of pupils in classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher -- Position as at January each year
		
			  Maintained primary Maintained secondary 
			   Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more  Number of pupils in classes of 31 or more 
			 Wigan parliamentary constituency Total pupils in all classes Number of pupils Percentage of pupils(11) Total pupils in all classes Number of pupils Percentage of pupils(11) 
		
		
			 1997 7,130 3,260 45.7 4,890 220 4.5 
			 2003 6,230 1,290 20.8 5,470 700 12.7 
			 2004 (Provisional) 6,320 1,300 20.5 5,630 800 14.2 
		
	
	(10) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(11) Percentage of pupils in those classes expressed as a percentage of pupils in the sum of constituent items and the total.
	Note:
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, therefore there may be discrepancies between all classes taught by one teacher.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Classics

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which secondary schools in the maintained sector in England offer (a) Ancient Greek and (b) Latin at A level.

David Miliband: The DfES does not have on information which schools offer individual subjects. We can only identify those schools where pupils were entered for a subject in a particular year.
	There are eight maintained secondary schools where at least one student attempted an A level in Greek in the academic year 2002–03. The schools are:
	The Camden School for Girls
	St. Francis Xavier's College, Liverpool
	Weatherhead High School, Wallasey
	Easingwold School, York
	Ripon Grammar School
	Reading School
	Colchester Royal Grammar School
	Lancaster Royal Grammar School
	There are 84 maintained secondary schools where at least one student attempted an A level in Latin. The schools are:
	The Camden School for Girls, Camden
	The London Oratory School, Hammersmith and Fulham
	The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School, Kensington and Chelsea
	The Henrietta Barnett School, Barnet
	St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, Barnet
	Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Bexley
	St. Olave's and St. Saviour's Grammar School, Bromley
	Drayton Manor High School, Baling
	The Latymer School, Enfield
	St. Ignatius College, Enfield
	The Tiffin Girls' School, Kingston upon Thames
	Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames
	Ilford County High School, Redbridge
	Woodford County High School, Redbridge
	Nonsuch High School for Girls, Sutton
	The John Fisher School, Sutton
	King Edward VI Handsworth School, Birmingham
	King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham
	Old Swinford Hospital, Dudley
	Wolverhampton Girls' High School, Wolverhampton
	Archbishop Blanch Church of England Voluntary Aided High School A Technology College, Liverpool
	St. Francis Xavier's College, Liverpool
	The Blue Coat School, Liverpool
	Manor High School, Sefton
	Chesterfield High School, Sefton
	West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral
	Weatherhead High School, Wirral
	St. Anselm's College, Wirral
	Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton
	Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Trafford
	Loreto Grammar School, Trafford
	St. Anthony's Catholic Girls' School, Sunderland
	Ripon Grammar School, North Yorkshire
	Ermysted's Grammar School, North Yorkshire
	All Saints RC School, York
	Dr. Challoner's High School, Buckinghamshire
	Aylesbury Grammar School, Buckinghamshire
	Wycombe High School, Buckinghamshire
	The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
	Bournemouth School, Bournemouth
	St. John's School and Community College, Wiltshire
	Reading School, Reading
	Kendrick Girls' Grammar School, Reading
	St. Bernard's Convent School, Slough
	The King's School, Peterborough
	Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth
	Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Essex
	King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, Essex
	Colchester Royal Grammar School, Essex
	Colchester County High School for Girls, Essex
	Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, Essex
	Southend High School for Boys, Southend on Sea
	Maidstone Grammar School, Kent
	Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School, Kent
	The Judd School, Kent
	Dartford Grammar School, Kent
	Cranbrook School, Kent
	The Archbishop's School, Kent
	Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls, Kent
	Dover Grammar School for Boys, Kent
	The Rochester Grammar School for Girls, Medway
	Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Lancashire
	Stroud High School, Gloucestershire
	Hitchin Boys' School, Hertfordshire
	Hitchin Girls' School, Hertfordshire
	Freman College, Hertfordshire
	Watford Grammar School for Boys, Hertfordshire
	Watford Grammar School for Girls, Hertfordshire
	The Bishop's Stortford High School, Hertfordshire
	Boston High School, Lincolnshire
	Spalding High School, Lincolnshire
	Spalding Grammar School, Lincolnshire
	Caistor Grammar School, Lincolnshire
	The Henry Box School, Oxfordshire
	Wheatley Park School, Oxfordshire
	Northgate High School, Suffolk
	Oxted School, Surrey
	George Abbot School, Surrey
	Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls A Specialist Language College, Warwickshire
	Kenilworth School and Sports College, Warwickshire
	Rugby High School, Warwickshire
	Chichester High School for Girls, West Sussex
	Hazelwick School, West Sussex
	Bishop Luffa Church of England School, Chichester, West Sussex

Correspondence

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what circumstances the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education received a copy of the letter written by the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central to Professor Boucher, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, dated 26 January.

Alan Johnson: I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

Departmental Policies

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will set out, with statistical information relating as closely as possible to the constituency of Ilford, North, the effect of his Department's policies on Ilford, North since 1997.

Charles Clarke: The constituency of Ilford, North falls within Redbridge local education authority. Where the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) can or does collect information by constituency, it has been provided.
	Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, my Department is investigating ways in which we disseminate information about the effects of our policies at a local level. We hope to have systems to facilitate this in place later this year.
	Children, Young People and Families
	Early Education
	All 3 and 4-year-olds are now guaranteed a free, part-time, Government funded, early education place if their parents want it throughout England. We understand that the current early education participation rate in the Redbridge authority is around 68 per cent.
	Child Care
	There has been a major expansion in child care provision since 1997. We only have figures at local authority level. Since April 1999 we had created, by March 2004, over 3,200 new child care places benefiting over 5,800 children in Redbridge.
	Children's Social Services
	Children's social services in the constituency are delivered by Redbridge council which is a two star social services authority, with services for children and families assessed as serving most people well with promising prospects (as published in the Annual Review of Performance Reports, issued by the Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate).
	Disadvantaged Area Programmes
	Some of our key programmes for young children and families target the most disadvantaged communities. We have created three Neighbourhood Nurseries in the constituency with 136 new places. There are no Sure Start local programmes or Early Excellence Centres within the constituency. Redbridge intends to create four children's centres at least one of which is likely to be in Ilford, North.
	Connexions
	Connexions, the Government's front line support service for all young people aged 13–19, is providing advice, guidance and support to young people in Ilford, North constituency through East London Connexions Partnership. Since its launch in June 2002, young people aged 13–19 have had access to support and advice on a range of issues to help them participate and achieve in education, employment and training and to reach their full potential as adults.
	Youth Services
	Although not recently inspected by Ofsted, Redbridge Youth Service has used the findings of an independent inspection based on the Ofsted Framework and the Government's requirements within Transforming Youth Work to reconfigure the service during 2003/04. The 2004–05 plan, although still draft, demonstrates a commitment to achieving the performance measures required by Transforming Youth Work: Resourcing Excellent Youth Services.
	Extended Schools
	The Department is supporting the rollout of up to 240 full service extended schools by 2006, so that there will be at least one in each LEA area. Redbridge LEA will be developing one full service extended school from this year.
	Schools
	Recurrent Funding
	The estimated 1 increase in per pupil funding in Redbridge in real terms from 1997–98 to 2004–05 is £700 compared with the national average of £880.
	Capital Funding
	Redbridge LEA had an allocation of £13.1 million (including £3.2 million which is devolved directly to schools) for 2003–04 compared with £9.9 million in   1996–97. Redbridge LEA has been allocated £16.1 million for 2004–05. Some Voluntary Aided allocations have still to be included for 2004–05.
	School Performance Tables
	Key Stage (KS) figures can be found at on the DfES website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables
	Class Sizes
	The number of 5, 6 and 7-year-olds in classes over 30 has fallen from 2,331 in 1997 to 95 by January 2003.
	Teachers
	Since 1997 (to 2003) there are 370 more teachers (FTE), 429 more teaching assistants and 548 more support staff.
	Specialist Schools
	There are nine Specialist Schools in Redbridge LEA.
	Beacon Schools
	There are two Beacon Schools in Redbridge LEA.
	Primary Strategy Leadership
	10 primary schools in Redbridge LEA are part of the Primary Strategy Leadership programme this year. Additional schools will be selected by the LEA to enter the programme in 2004/05.
	Leadership Incentive Grant
	There is one secondary school in Redbridge in receipt of LIG, the Loxford School of Science and Technology. This is a high-performing school which receives LIG because more than 35 per cent. of its pupils are eligible for Free School Meals.
	Behaviour Improvement Projects
	All secondary schools in Redbridge LEA receive support from the Behaviour and Attendance strand of the Key Stage 3 Strategy, including a behaviour audit and training materials and support from specialist LEA-level consultants. Primary schools in the area receive support through the Primary National Strategy's Behaviour and Attendance Pilot, which includes a primary behaviour audit and curriculum and training materials with special focus on children's social, emotional and behavioural skills.
	14–19 Education
	The Government's strategy for 14–19 education and training, set out in "14–19: opportunity and excellence", will provide all young people with the opportunity to continue their education in different settings, including schools, colleges, and the workplace.
	The impact of the 14–19 agenda on Ilford, North includes:
	Strategic Area Reviews (StARs)
	In April 2003, all local Learning and Skills Councils (LSCs) started strategic area reviews (StARs) of post-16 LSC-funded provision. These reviews aim to achieve the   right mix of provision in an area to improve participation, raise attainment and improve learner choice. StARs will ensure that there is the breadth of opportunity and quality of provision to meet the needs of learners, employers and communities.
	All local LSCs have been gathering information, reviewing provider missions, and consequently building an understanding of each provider's role and the provision on offer. The next step is to develop strategic options.
	In the case of Ilford, North, and its local LSC, London East, progress is good and work continues with developing borough profiles and strategic proposals.
	To support the StAR process, and to provide local providers with a clear understanding of what the local learning and skills priorities are, LSC London East are producing an over arching strategic framework document.
	The LSC London East has, in addition to the StAR process, conducted a survey to test its assumptions about what young people, adults and employers want from education.
	Vocational Provision
	London East LSC currently has four work-based learning providers delivering vocational programmes in the constituency of Ilford, North.
	Learners in the borough have access to all of the remaining 42 work-based learning providers in the London East portfolio. Within a reasonable travelling distance they can gain entry to over 40 occupational areas ranging from Accounting, Engineering, Childcare, Retail, Hospitality and Catering and Information technology.
	Educational Maintenance Allowances
	Redbridge is not an EMA pilot area. However the scheme has now been launched nationally and all eligible students in England can apply for EMA for academic year 2004/05.
	Higher Education
	The number of 18 to 20-year-olds entering full-time Higher Education courses, are as follows.
	
		Redbridge LEA
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 1,317 
			 1998 1,366 
			 1999 1,389 
			 2000 1,604 
			 2001 1,648 
			 2002 1,799 
		
	
	Adult Education
	The Local Labour Force Survey shows that in Ilford, North:
	The proportion of working age people qualified to at least level 4 rose from 17.4 per cent. in 1999 to 21.1 per cent. in 2002.
	The proportion of working age people qualified to at least level 2 rose from 59.5 per cent. in 1999 to 64.3 per cent. in 2002.
	The proportion of working age people without any qualification rose from 11.5 per cent. in 1999 to 14.7 per cent. in 2002.
	The proportion of working age people who received job related training in the last four weeks has fallen from 12.3 per cent. in 1999 to 9.4 per cent. in 2002.
	1  Includes provisional estimates of grants and allocations still to be confirmed. Total funding per pupil aged 3–19 includes Education Formula Spending (EFS) and all relevant grants in the DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits but, for comparability, exclude the pensions transfer to Learning and Skills Council and EFS in 2003–04 and 2004–05. Real terms at 2002–03 prices.

Departmental Policies

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Newcastle East and Wallsend constituency, the effects on Newcastle, East and Wallsend of his Department's policies and actions since 1997.

Charles Clarke: The constituency of Newcastle Upon Tyne, East and Wallsend covers part of both Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside local education authorities. Where the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) can or does collect information by constituency, it has been provided.
	Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, my Department is investigating ways in which we disseminate information about the effects of our policies at a local level. We hope to have systems to facilitate this in place later this year.
	Children, Young People and Families
	Early Education
	All 3 and 4-year-olds are now guaranteed a free, part-time, Government funded early education place if their parents want it throughout England. We understand that the current early education participation rate in the Newcastle upon Tyne authority is around 100 per cent. and in the North Tyneside authority 94 per cent.
	Child Care
	There has been a major expansion in child care provision since 1997. We only have figures at local authority level, but at March 2004 we had created over 4,200 new child care places since April 1999, benefiting over 7,500 children, in Newcastle upon Tyne, and over 4,300 new places benefiting over 7,700 children in North Tyneside.
	Children's Social Services
	Children's social services in the constituency are delivered by two councils—Newcastle and North Tyneside. Newcastle is a three star social services authority with services for children and families assessed as serving most children well with excellent prospects. North Tyneside is a one star council with services for children and families assessed as serving some children well with promising prospects. These judgments are set out in the annual review of Performance Ratings for Social Services in England published by the Chief Inspector of the Social Services Inspectorate in November 2003.
	Disadvantaged Area Programmes
	Some of our key programmes for young children and families target the most disadvantaged communities. The constituency contains three Sure Start local programmes, two in Newcastle (West Walker and Fossway) and one in North Tyneside (Wallsend). The West Walker programme is also linked to the Walkergate Early Years Centre Early Excellence Centre. Wallsend and West Walker also have Neighbourhood Nurseries which, along with another two standalone projects, have created 131 new places in the constituency. Both authorities are now working on their plans for children's centres which will build on this existing provision. Newcastle upon Tyne intends to create nine centres and North Tyneside six, two of which have already been designated.
	Connexions
	Connexions, the Government's front line support service for all young people aged 13–19, is providing advice, guidance and support to young people in Newcastle Upon Tyne, East and Wallsend constituency through Tyne and Wear Connexions Partnership. Since its launch in April 2002 young people aged 13–19 have had access to support and advice on a range of issues to help them participate and achieve in education, employment and training and to reach their full potential as adults.
	Youth Services
	There are two local authority youth services in Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend: Newcastle; and North Tyneside. Both services have been subject to   Ofsted inspections in recent years, and in both significant weaknesses were found. But both local authorities have responded positively, increasing their investment in their youth services. They have also revised and updated many of their procedures and have fully embraced the Transforming Youth Work agenda.
	Extended Schools
	The Department is supporting the rollout of up to 240 full service extended schools by 2006, so that there will be at least one in each LEA area. Benfield School in Newcastle LEA has been developing as a full service extended school from 2003–04.
	Schools
	Recurrent Funding
	The estimated 1 increase in per pupil funding in real terms from 1997–98 to 2004–05 is £920 in Newcastle upon Tyne and £940 in North Tyneside compared with the national average of £880.
	Capital Funding
	North Tyneside LEA had an allocation of £11.5 million (including £2.6 million which is devolved directly to schools, £2.4 million in targeted Capital funding and £0.5 million in VA Targeted Capital funding) for 2003–04 compared with £1.4 million in 1996–97. North Tyneside LEA has been allocated £6.7 million for 2004–05. Some Voluntary Aided (VA) allocations have still to be included for 2004–05.
	Newcastle LEA had an allocation of £16.3 million (including £3.4 million which is devolved directly to schools and £5 million for VA Targeted Capital funding) for 2003–04 compared with £1.0 million in1996–97. Newcastle LEA has been allocated £69.7 million for 2004–05 (including 360 million in PFI credits). Some VA allocations have still to be included for 2004–05.
	School Performance Tables
	Key Stage (KS) figures can be found at on the DfES website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables
	Class Sizes
	In North Tyneside LEA the number of 5, 6 and 7-year-olds in classes over 30 has fallen from 2,183 in 1997 to 0 by January 2003.
	In Newcastle upon Tyne LEA the number of 5, 6 and 7-year-olds in classes over 30 has fallen from 2,964 in 1997 to 63 by January 2003.
	Teachers
	In North Tyneside LEA the number of teachers (FTE from 1997 to 2003) is unchanged. However there are 110 more teaching assistants than in 1997 and 345 more support staff than in 1997.
	In Newcastle LEA the number of teachers has risen by 50 (FTE from 1997 to 2003). However there are 246 more teaching assistants than in 1997 and 434 more support staff than in 1997.
	Specialist Schools
	There are eight specialist schools in Newcastle upon Tyne LEA and seven specialist schools in North Tyneside LEA.
	Beacon Schools
	There are six beacon schools in Newcastle upon Tyne LEA and eight beacon schools in North Tyneside LEA.
	Primary Strategy Leadership
	17 primary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne LEA and 13 primary schools in North Tyneside LEA are part of the Primary Strategy Leadership programme this year. Additional schools will be selected by the LEAs to enter the programme in 2004/05.
	Leadership Incentive Grant
	There are 11 secondary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne in receipt of LIG and 11 secondary schools in North Tyneside in receipt of LIG. All are eligible for LIG because they are part of the Excellence in Cities programme.
	Behaviour Improvement Projects
	All secondary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside receive support from the Behaviour and Attendance strand of the Key Stage 3 Strategy, including a behaviour audit and training materials and support from specialist LEA—level consultants. In addition, four secondary schools and 27 primary schools in Newcastle upon Tyne and four secondary schools and 15 primary schools in North Tyneside participate in the Behaviour Improvement Programme, which provides more intensive support for schools facing the greatest challenges.
	14–19 Education
	The Government's strategy for 14–19 education and training, set out in "14–19: opportunity and excellence", will provide all young people with the opportunity to continue their education in different settings, including schools, colleges, and the workplace.
	The impact of the 14–19 agenda on Newcastle Upon Tyne, East and Wallsend includes:
	16–19 Area Inspection (14–19 from March 2003)
	16–19 Area Inspections were introduced in 1999 as a key means of securing improvements in learning for young people. Both Newcastle Upon Tyne and North Tyneside have had a 16–19 area inspection, copies of their Ofsted reports can be found on their website www.ofsted.gov.uk.
	With Tyne and Wear LSC in the lead, local partners have developed Action Plans for both areas, which have been accepted by Ministers. Tyne and Wear LSC are responsible for the implementation of both action plans, which are still ongoing.
	In the autumn, Newcastle will under-go a further Area Inspection of 14–19 learning which will be undertaken jointly by Ofsted and the ALI. The LSC Tyne and Wear and the LEA will be jointly asked, along with local partners to prepare and implement an Action Plan, following the 14–19 Area Inspection.
	Strategic Area Reviews (StARs)
	In April 2003, all local Learning and Skills Councils (LSCs) started strategic area reviews (StARs) of post-16 LSC-funded provision. These reviews aim to achieve the   right mix of provision in an area to improve participation, raise attainment and improve learner choice. StARs will ensure that there is the breadth of opportunity and quality of provision to meet the needs of learners, employers and communities.
	All local LSCs have been gathering information, reviewing provider missions, and consequently building an understanding of each provider's role and the provision on offer.
	In LSC Tyne and Wear's area there were five 16–19 area wide inspections between spring 2000 and spring 2002, including for Newcastle and North Tyneside (the local authority areas in which the constituency of Newcastle East and Wallsend falls). As a result of these inspections both authorities, in conjunction with the local LSC and many other partners in the Learning Partnerships, produced and are now implementing 14–19 strategies. The objectives of these strategies align perfectly with that of the LSC's Strategic Area Review process.
	In both authorities, learning providers work in partnership on a wide range of learning issues, to deliver a learner entitlement for all young people. Over the last three years both authorities have seen an upward trend in participation and attainment at both GCSE and post-16 levels.
	The StAR process for LSC Tyne and Wear in relation to 14–19 provision is, therefore, one which builds on this effective partnership work, rather than proposing structural reorganisation.
	Vocational Provision
	Learners in Newcastle have easy access within the city to 21 work-based learning providers delivering a wide range of vocational programmes covering occupational areas/sectors which are significant to the sub-regional economy including Business and Administration, Construction, Engineering, Health and Care, Hospitality, ICT, Retail. These programmes are available at a range of levels, from Entry to Employment through Foundation Modern Apprenticeships to Advanced Modern Apprenticeships and, increasingly, to 14–16 learners as part of their individual learning programme.
	Four work-based learning providers are based in North Tyneside offering Business Administration, Construction, Engineering, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Catering programmes, as well as a very significant amount of Entry to Employment programmes and provision for learners with learning difficulties. Like Newcastle the provision in   North Tyneside is appropriate for employment opportunities in the Tyne and Wear area.
	In the compact sub-region which comprises LSC Tyne and Wear learners from both of these local authority areas have access to more than 60 providers of work-based opportunities.
	Educational Maintenance Allowances
	There is one Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pilot area in Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend. The pilot scheme has been in operation in North Tyneside since September 2000. In its first year the EMA provided financial support for 800 students and in each subsequent year 1,500 students have benefited from the scheme. In the financial year 2003–04 a total of £1.3 million in EMA payments were made for eligible students living in North Tyneside.
	The scheme has now been launched nationally and all eligible students in England can apply for EMA for academic year 2004/05.
	Higher Education
	The number of 18 to 20-year-olds entering full-time Higher Education courses, are as follows:
	
		
			  Newcastle upon Tyne LEA North Tyneside LEA 
		
		
			 1997 826 746 
			 1998 925 772 
			 1999 956 821 
			 2000 1,001 769 
			 2001 1,242 698 
			 2002 1,269 651 
		
	
	Adult Education
	The Local Labour Force Survey shows that in Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend:
	The proportion of working age people qualified to at least level 4 rose from 15.8 per cent. in 1999 to 21.1 per cent. in 2002.
	The proportion of working age people qualified to at least level 2 has fallen from 65.2 per cent. in 1999 to 62.7 per cent. in 2002.
	The proportion of working age people without any qualifications rose from 18.3 per cent. in 1999 to 19.4 per cent. in 2002.
	The proportion of working age people who received job related training in the last four weeks rose from 7.5 per cent. in 1999 to 12.5 per cent. in 2002.
	1  Includes provisional estimates of grants and allocations still to be confirmed. Total funding per pupil aged 3–19 includes Education Formula Spending (EPS) and all relevant grants in the DfES departmental Expenditure Limits but, for comparability, exclude the pensions transfer to Learning and Skills Council and EPS in 2003–04 and 2004–05. Real terms at 2002–03 prices.

Departmental Procurement

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for   Education and Skills what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by his Department over the last five years is of British manufacture.

Stephen Twigg: The percentage of crockery, cutlery and glassware procured by my Department over the last five years, which is of British manufacture is as follows:
	(a) crockery 90 per cent.
	(b) cutlery unknown country of origin not displayed
	(c) glassware 0 per cent.

Education Services (Bootle)

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Bootle have benefited from the Excellence in Cities programme; and what the per pupil spending was in each year since the programme's inception.

David Miliband: The following table shows the number of children in Bootle benefiting from EiC, and the annual spend per pupil for the years in question.
	
		
			  Number of children Total EiC expenditure(12) (£) Spend per pupil (£) 
		
		
			 2000–01 4,219 373,916 88.63 
			 2001–02 7,846 1,150,998 146.70 
			 2002–03 7,821 1,297,269 165.87 
			 2003–04 7,825 2,498,105 319.25 
		
	
	Note:
	All funding figures supplied by Sefton Excellence in Cities Coordinator.
	The increase in the number of pupils benefiting from EiC from 2001 onwards is due to the schools in the Education Action Zones in the area coming under the control of the Sefton EiC Partnership.
	The large increase in the rate of EiC funding in 2002–03 is due to the extra funding provided through the Behaviour Improvement Programme and the increase in 2003–04 is due to the introduction of the Leadership Incentive Grant.

Education Statistics (Manchester)

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what public funding has been spent on adult (a) literacy and (b) numeracy in Manchester, Blackley in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The estimated total spend on "Skills For Life" (the Government's strategy for literacy, language and numeracy needs of all post-16 learners from pre-entry level up to and including level 2) and on   Key Skills (essential skills of communication, application of number and information technology), from April 2001 to July 2003, in the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council (LSC) area is set out in the following table:
	
		£000
		
			  Basic skills Key skills 
		
		
			 April 2001 to July 2001(12) 8,925 2,598 
			 August 2001 to July 2002 15,369 3,586 
			 August 2002 to July 2003 27,258 4,210 
		
	
	(12) The figures for April to July 2001 include costs incurred from August 2000 on learning aims continuing into April 2001.
	From the information available to the LSC it has not been feasible to obtain estimates at constituency level or   separate figures by subject without incurring disproportionate cost. Likewise it has not been feasible to obtain comparable figures for periods before April 2001 when the Skills for Life strategy was launched and the LSC was formed, but information shows it was considerably less than at present.

Education Statistics (Manchester)

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Manchester, Blackley deemed to be failing since 1997 have since reached satisfactory standards.

David Miliband: One primary school in Manchester, Blackley has been deemed to be failing on two inspections since 1997 and placed in special measures twice. Following the second designation, the requirement for special measures was removed in June 2003.

Free School Meals (Edmonton)

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children received free school meals in the constituency of Edmonton in (a) 1991–92, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2003.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 5 May 2004
	The available data on free school meals is shown in the table.   Information for 1991–92 is not available at Parliamentary Constituency level.
	
		Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools(13): school meal arrangements Position as at January each year—Edmonton Parliamentary Constituency
		
			  Number on roll Number of pupils taking free school meals Percentage taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Maintained Nursery and Primary 
			 2001 10,703 2,556 23.9 2,977 27.8 
			 2002 10,686 2,540 23.8 3,046 28.5 
			 2003(14) 10,616 2,611 24.6 3,097 29.2 
			 Maintained Secondary 
			 2001 5,791 822 14.2 1,282 22.1 
			 2002 5,964 727 12.2 1,258 21.1 
			 2003(14) 5,822 738 12.7 1,189 20.4 
		
	
	(13) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(14) Includes dually registered pupils and boarding pupils.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

GCSEs

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 15 and 16-year-olds in Wigan achieved five or more GCSEs at grade A* -C or GNVQ equivalent in each of the last seven years.

David Miliband: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(15) achieving five or more grades A*–C at GCSE/GNVQ -- Percentage
		
			 Academic year Wigan England 
		
		
			 1997 44.8 45.1 
			 1998 43.2 46.3 
			 1999 45.7 47.9 
			 2000 46.7 49.2 
			 2001 47.1 50.0 
			 2002 49.3 51.6 
			 2003 50.7 52.9 
		
	
	(15) GCSE/GNVQ results are reported as standard as the results of pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August and therefore reaching the end of compulsory education at the end of the school year.

GCSEs

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the GCSE results in the constituency of   Edmonton were in (a) 1991–92, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2003.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 May 2004
	The information requested is as follows:
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(16) achieving five or more grades A* -C at GCSE/GNVQ
		
			 Academic year Edmonton parliamentary constituency England 
		
		
			 1991/92 42.4 38.3 
			 2001/02 42.4 51.6 
			 2002/03 44.0 52.9 
		
	
	(16) GCSE/GNVQ results are reported as standard as the results of pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August and therefore reaching the end of compulsory education at the end of the school year.

GCSEs

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 15 and 16-year-olds in South Ribble achieved five or more GCSEs at grade A* -C or GNVQ equivalent in each of the last seven years.

David Miliband: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(17) achieving five or more grades A*–C -- Percentage
		
			 Academic year South Ribble England 
		
		
			 1997 54.7 45.1 
			 1998 53.9 46.3 
			 1999 56.0 47.9 
			 2000 61.0 49.2 
			 2001 59.5 50.0 
			 2002 61.5 51.6 
			 2003 63.7 52.9 
		
	
	(17) GCSE/GNVQ results are reported as standard as the results of pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August and therefore reaching the end of compulsory education at the end of the school year.

Higher Education (Specialist Courses)

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students enrolled on specialist textile and clothing education courses in universities and colleges in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The following table shows the number of enrolments on fashion and textiles courses in further education colleges from 1995–96 to 2002–03 inclusive. Figures for earlier years are not available due to changes in data collection methods. Figures for higher education enrolments to textile and clothing education courses are not held centrally.
	
		Enrolments on 'fashion and textiles' courses in further education sector colleges in England: 1995–96 to 2002–03
		
			  Number of enrolments(18) 
		
		
			 1995/96 7,890 
			 1996/97 9,970 
			 1997/98 9,600 
			 1998/99 7,960 
			 1999/2000 7,410 
			 2000/01 6,480 
			 2001/02 6,210 
			 2002/03(19) 4,990 
		
	
	(18) Council-funded further education only.
	(19) Provisional.
	Note:
	Numbers are rounded to nearest 10.
	Source:
	LSC Individualised Student/Learner Record

Key Stage 2

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils achieved each level for (a) literacy and (b) numeracy at Key Stage 2 in each year since the introduction of SATs.

David Miliband: The information requested is:
	
		Percentage of pupils achieving each level
		
			  D A F B N W 1 2 3 4 5 
		
		
			 English
			 2003(20) 1 1 — 3 2 — — 1 17 48 27 
			 2002 1 1 — 3 2 — — 1 17 46 29 
			 2001 1 1 — 3 2 — — 1 17 46 29 
			 2000 1 2 — 4 2 — — 1 20 47 23 
			 1999 0 2 — 3 2 — — 1 20 48 22 
			 1998 0 2 — 4 2 — — 1 26 48 17 
			 1997 0 3 — 4 2 — — 1 26 48 16 
			 1996 0 3 2 — — 0 1 6 30 45 12 
			 
			 Mathematics
			 2003(20) 0 1 — 3 2 — — 1 20 44 29 
			 2002 1 1 — 2 2 — — 1 20 46 27 
			 2001 0 1 — 2 2 — — 1 22 45 25 
			 2000 0 2 — 3 2 — — 1 20 45 26 
			 1999 0 2 — 3 2 — — 1 23 45 24 
			 1998 0 2 — 3 3 — — 1 31 42 17 
			 1997 0 3 — 3 2 — — 2 28 44 18 
			 1996 0 3 2 — — 0 1 5 34 40 14 
		
	
	(20) 2003 results are provisional.
	Notes:
	A—represents pupils who were absent.
	D—represents pupils who have been disapplied under section 364/365 of the Education Act.
	B—represents pupils who were assessed by teacher assessment only.
	N—represents pupils who took the tests but failed to register a level.
	W—represents pupils who are "working towards" level 1 but have not yet achieved the standards needed for level 1.
	F—represents pupils who have failed to register a level for reasons other than absence.

Mayoral Meetings

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what dates (a) he and (b) his predecessor has held official meetings with the Mayor of London since July 2000; and what the subject of each meeting was.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 10 May 2004
	Ministers from the Department for Education and Skills have met the Mayor of London from time to time and discussed a variety of subjects relating to education and skills.

Residential Experiences

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his address to the NASUWT conference, if he will make a statement on funding support for residential experiences for school children.

David Miliband: Many schools already offer opportunities for residential experience for their students. My Department is looking at how residential opportunities can contribute to more young people taking advantage of extra curricular activities. As a starting point a map of existing residential opportunities will be established. I will also reflect fully on further advice from the Tomlinson Group on 14–19 reform about young people developing broader skills through wider activities.

Safe Routes to Schools Programme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of schools (a) in Bolton, North East, (b) in Greater Manchester and (c) in England have implemented initiatives under the Safe Routes to Schools programme.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Local transport plan annual progress reports submitted by local authorities at the end of July 2003 showed that by the end of March 2004 (a) they did not expect any schools in the area covered by Bolton metropolitan borough council to have either a safe route to school or a school travel plan in place; (b) they expected 260 schools in Greater Manchester to have at least one safe route to school and 167 to have a school travel plan in place; and (c) they expected over 3,800 schools nationally to have at least one safe route to school and over 3,500 to have a school travel plan in place. Local transport plan annual progress reports do not enable us to identify the numbers of safe routes to school and school travel plans by constituency area.
	Although no schools in Bolton currently have a safe route to school or school travel plan in place, I understand that at least seven local traffic calming schemes have been implemented within the immediate environs of schools, one school has prepared a draft school travel plan and several others have expressed an interest in developing a plan.

School Buildings

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was of outstanding repairs to school buildings identified by the 2003 Asset Management Survey; and when he will publish the full results of that survey.

David Miliband: The data supplied to the Department by English local education authorities and derived from their condition assessments of school buildings show maintenance requirements of approximately £8,000 million. This figure includes outstanding repairs and work needed over a five year period from the dates of the assessments. The Department has been working with authorities to resolve data quality issues and will shortly publish analysis of the data.
	Central government capital support for investment in school buildings has increased from under £700 million in 1996–97 to £4.5 billion this year and will rise further to over £5 billion by 2005–06. Progress is being made year-by-year in improving the quality of the school building stock.

School Exclusions

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what reports he has received on the exclusion of disruptive children from schools during Ofsted inspections.

David Miliband: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not received any reports of disruptive children being excluded during Ofsted inspections.
	Pupils may be excluded only for disciplinary reasons, in response to serious breaches of a school's discipline policy, and if allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school.
	An exclusion which is not carried out in accordance with the formal procedures set out in regulations and guidance would be illegal.

School Locations

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils live more than three miles away from the school that they attend, broken down by region.

David Miliband: holding answer 26 April 2004
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Numbers of pupils living more than three miles (21) from the maintained primary and secondary schools (22) that they attend—January 2003
		
			  Primary Secondary 
			  Number of school population travelling more than three miles Percentage of school population travelling more than three miles Number of school population travelling more than three miles Percentage of school population travelling more than three miles 
		
		
			 North East 5,996 2.6 22,703 12.5 
			 North West 17,045 2.7 62,996 13.3 
			 Yorkshire and the   Humber 12,909 2.8 51,235 14.6 
			 East Midlands 14,931 4 58,757 19.6 
			 West Midlands 17,648 3.6 54,095 14.2 
			 East of England 21,386 4.7 88,607 22.9 
			 London 14,576 2.3 55,741 13.2 
			 South East 30,805 4.7 114,785 22.5 
			 South West 19,891 5 78,074 23.9 
			 England 155,187 3.7 586,993 17.8 
		
	
	(21) Distances calculated are straight line.
	(22) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	Source:
	Pupil Level Annual Schools' Census.

Schools (Outdoor Pursuits)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he last discussed access to outdoor and adventurous activities for young people with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Stephen Twigg: Outdoor and adventurous activities is one of six areas of activity for which programmes of study have been drawn up within National Curriculum Physical Education. The Secretaries of State for Education and Skills and for Culture, Media and Sport have regular bilateral meetings at which a range of issues are discussed, including provision for PE and school sport.

Schools (Outdoor Pursuits)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to promote adventure holidays and outdoor pursuits in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The extent to which schools incorporate adventure holidays, and outdoor pursuits in their provision (beyond the provision for outdoor and adventurous activities within National Curriculum Physical Education), is at their discretion. The Department will reflect fully on further advice from the Tomlinson Group on 14–19 reform about young people developing broader skills through wider activities.

Secondary Schools (Cambridgeshire)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacant secondary school places there were in Cambridgeshire, broken down by (a) school year group, (b) district and (c) establishment, at the start of the spring term of school year 2003–04.

David Miliband: The following table shows the number of surplus secondary school places in Cambridgeshire broken down by individual establishment. The figures state the position at the beginning of the calendar year beginning 2003 rather than the school year.
	We do not collect surplus place data by school year group, or borough or district area.
	
		Number of surplus places in secondary schools in Cambridgeshire at January 2003
		
			 School name Surplus 
		
		
			 Bottisham Village College 40 
			 Impington Village College 61 
			 Swavesey Village College 128 
			 Parkside Community College 0 
			 Chesterton Community College 122 
			 Coleridge Community College 223 
			 Cottenham Village College 114 
			 Melbourn Village College 176 
			 The Cromwell Community College 174 
			 Sir Harry Smith Community College 5 
			 Witchford Village College 38 
			 The Manor Community College 281 
			 The Netherhall School 156 
			 St. Ivo School 13 
			 Ernulf Community School 103 
			 City of Ely Community College 244 
			 The Neale-Wade Community College 34 
			 Hinchingbrooke School 65 
			 Ramsey Abbey School 0 
			 St. Bede's Inter-Church Comprehensive School 21 
			 Gamlingay Village College 54 
			 Bassingbourn Village College 37 
			 The Queen's School 198 
			 Sawtry Community College 0 
			 Comberton Village College 158 
			 Sawston Village College 90 
			 Ailwyn Community College 3 
			 Longsands College 27 
			 St. Peter's School 243 
			 Soham Village College 36 
			 Union Village College 32 
			 Total 2,876

Teacher Numbers

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for   Education and Skills how many (a) teachers, (b) support staff and (c) teachers in secondary schools there were (i) in 1997 and (ii) on the latest date for which figures are available in (A) the London borough of Waltham Forest and (B) the London borough of Redbridge.

David Miliband: The tables show the total number of full-time equivalent regular teachers in all maintained schools, support staff in maintained schools and regular teachers in maintained secondary schools in January 1997 and 2003 in the two local education authorities requested.
	
		Redbridge LEA
		
			  Regular teachers Support staff Regular secondary teachers 
		
		
			 1997 2,100 600 1,060 
			 2003 2,470 1,140 1,300 
		
	
	
		Waltham Forest LEA
		
			  Regular teachers Support staff Regular secondary teachers 
		
		
			 1997 2,010 740 840 
			 2003 1,940 1,230 890 
		
	
	(23) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.
	Sources:
	Annual School Census (support staff) and the annual survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies (618g) (teachers).

Teacher Workload

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the change in teacher workload since the publication of Red Tape and Bureaucracy in Schools; and what progress has been made against the targets announced in the document.

David Miliband: The main means by which teacher workload is monitored is through the regular diary surveys undertaken for the Office for Manpower Economics. Last year's survey was conducted in March 2003. The most recent one was conducted in March 2004, with results available in the autumn. The March 2003 survey showed some reductions in hours, but this was obviously too early to draw any conclusions. The "Making a Difference—Red Tape and Bureaucracy in Schools Second Report" was published in March 2003. The Report included 125 separate outcomes to be completed up to September 2005, of which 79 have now been completed.
	The Implementation Review Unit (IRU) panel of 12 experienced practitioners drawn from schools across England was established in April 2003 to ensure that the bureaucratic and workload implications of both new and existing policies are kept under rigorous review, and to advise how red tape and bureaucracy can be minimised. Their first annual report was published on 30 April 2004, which provides an assessment of the progress that has been made, including the introduction of a system within the DfES to assess the impact of new initiatives before they are introduced. The report is available at www.dfes.gov.uk/iru.

Teenage Pregnancy

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are being taken in schools to (a) promote the safer sex message and (b) reduce unplanned pregnancies.

Stephen Twigg: Teaching about safer sex is a key element of the Government's sexual health strategy and is covered by our Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) guidance which was sent to all schools in July 2000. All maintained secondary schools have a statutory responsibility to teach SRE including sexual health, contraception and the range of advice and support services which are available.
	Effective SRE should ensure that young people understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity, including unwanted pregnancies, and give them the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions.

Truancy (Nottinghamshire)

Kenneth Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average truancy rate for secondary schools in Nottinghamshire was in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absences for secondary schools in Nottinghamshire
		
			 Academic year (September-May) Percentage 
		
		
			 1998 1.49 
			 1999 1.38 
			 2000 1.34 
			 2001 1.24 
			 2002 1.30 
			 2003 1.49

Unemployed Graduates

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many graduates claimed unemployment benefit for (a) one to three months, (b) four to six months, (c) seven to nine months and (d) 10 to 12 months directly after graduation in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: Administrative data relating to claims of jobseekers' allowance in the year after graduation are not available.
	Information on economic activity more generally is collected, though not at the detailed level requested. The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects data on the employment position of students six months after graduation, through the annual First Destination Survey. Summary results are available in the relevant Statistical First Releases which are placed in the House of Commons Library.
	The Department also commissioned the Institute of Employment Research to analyse the early careers of 1995 graduates. The published report 1 provides more detail of labour market transitions in the first year post-graduation. This research is currently being extended in an analysis of 1999 graduates which we expect to be published later this year.
	1  Elias, P. & K. Purcell (1999) Moving On—Graduate Careers Three Years After Graduation DfEE-CSU-AGCAS-IER

Universities

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when his Department will agree the new criteria for degree-awarding powers and university title in England and Wales;
	(2)  whether the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has extended its moratorium on the grant of   new degree-awarding powers to institutions in Wales.

Alan Johnson: A moratorium on new applications for Degree Awarding Powers (DAP) and University Title (UT) was put in place for institutions in England and Wales last year as we consulted on revised criteria for DAP and UT. In a written ministerial statement on 16 March 2004, Official Report, column 16WS, I announced that we would be holding further discussions on renewable DAP and a paper will be issued on 14 May 2004. A copy of this paper will be placed in the House Libraries and will also be available on the Department for Education and Skills website. We hope to finalise new criteria for DAP and UT in England and Wales by this summer.

Vocational Qualifications

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in reducing the number of adults without a NVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Good progress is being made to reach our 2010 target of reducing by 40 per cent. those without a level 2 qualification (NVQ level 2 or equivalent). According to the Labour Force Survey, the reduction realised as of autumn 2003 was 5.4 per cent. from the autumn 2001 baseline. The interim milestone for 2006 is that there should be 1 million more adults in the workforce with full level 2 or better than in 2002. Autumn 2003 figures show an increase of 187,000 adults with at least a level 2 compared to the autumn 2002 baseline.
	These figures are broadly in line with the planned trajectories for meeting the PSA targets for both 2006 and 2010.
	The Skills Strategy White Paper (published July 2003) includes a wide range of interlinked measures to remove barriers to learning, support participation for individuals and increase the amount of training undertaken with employers. It set out our intention to introduce a new entitlement for any adult in the labour force to have access to free tuition for their first full level 2 qualification. We are working with the LSC on phasing in the level 2 entitlement, with phase one in 2004–05 and full rollout beginning the following year.
	In September 2003, we started piloting the new Adult Learning Grant in ten local LSC areas, which offers up to £30 per week to adults on low incomes studying full-time for a first full level 2 qualification. Over 3,000 ALG applications have been received and over 2,000 awards have been made to learners. From September, we are doubling the size of the current pilot by extending the ALG throughout the SE and NE regions, as part of linked trials of key initiatives announced in the Skills Strategy.
	There are currently 12 Employer Training Pilots (ETPs) which are testing new financial support measures to improve access to training and enable employees to attain basic and level 2 skills. By mid April over 49,000 learners and nearly 9,000 employers were engaged. The expansion of ETPs was announced in the Budget and ETPs will now be available in 20 LSC areas in England.
	We believe that these and other related measures in the Skills Strategy will enable us to accelerate the trajectory towards meeting these targets.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Advisers/Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last three years.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in 2002. Expenditure for years 2000–01 and 2001–02 is for the former Department of Social Security.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2000–01 104.7 
			 2001–02 169.5 
			 2002–03 291.5

Benefit Claimants (Over-50s)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of claimants of disability benefits aged between 50 and state pension age worked immediately prior to their claim, in each year since 1997, broken down by region; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Information is not available on whether people worked immediately prior to claiming disability living allowance or industrial injuries disablement benefit. Both of these benefits can be paid to people in work, as well as to those who have stopped work or never worked.

Carers' Allowance

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing the overlapping benefit rule in respect of carers' allowance for (a) women over 60 years and (b) men and women over 65 years.

Maria Eagle: The gross cost of exempting all pensioners over 65 in receipt of carers' allowance from the overlapping benefits rule would be around £200 million. After adjusting for offsets in income-related benefits the cost would be around £130 million 1 . Exempting women only, aged 60 and over, would cost £155 million (£100 million after adjustments), although our commitment to the European directive on equal treatment would of course prevent us from introducing such a measure.
	These costs do not take account of the introduction of pension credit where carers' allowance is taken fully into account but an additional amount may be awarded in respect of the caring.
	Neither do the figures take account of the behavioural effect of carers who have not claimed a carer's allowance but who would be induced to do so if the overlapping benefits rules were amended as suggested.
	1  Estimates use benefit rates for 2003–04 and are based on a 100 per cent. extract of claims for carers' allowance taken from the carers' allowance computer system for May 2003, a 5 per cent. extract from claims recorded on the income support computer system in 2003 and a 1 per cent. extract of housing benefit/council tax benefit claims of May 2001.

Departmental Annual Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the production of his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions latest departmental report was published on 29 April 2004. Final expenditure figures are not yet available, but the costs of production incurred by the Department are estimated to be £38,897. Publishing costs are met by the publisher, TSO (The Stationery Office), and do not fall to government.
	1,500 copies of the report were produced, of which 1,160 were for the Department's use. Distribution details are set out in the following table. The report is also available free of charge on the departmental website.
	The production and sale of remaining copies of the report are matters for the publisher. Meaningful information about the number of copies of the 2004 report sold at the cover price of £27 is not yet available as publication is so recent.
	
		
			 Recipients Number of copies distributed free of charge 
		
		
			 House of Lords 50 
			 House of Commons 200 
			 Chair of the Treasury Select Committee 1 
			 Chair and members of Work and Pensions Select Committee 23 
			 Opposition spokesmen 4 
			 Social Security Advisory Committee 15 
			 HM Treasury and Cabinet Office 3 
			 Health and Safety Commission/Executive 10 
			 Departmental staff 854 
			 Total 1,160

Departmental Appointments

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been employed on 13 week casual appointments in his Department in the last 12 months, broken down by agency; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the table.
	
		Thirteen week casual appointments during the period 1April 2003 to 31March 2004
		
			 Business area Number 
		
		
			 DWP Corporate Centre 0 
			 Jobcentre Plus 138 
			 The Pension Service 5 
			 Child Support Agency 1 
			 Disability and Carers Service 13 
			 The Appeals Service 0 
			 Total 157

Departmental Computers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to update computer (a) hardware and (b) software standard packages used in his Department.

Chris Pond: By June this year we will have completed the modernisation of the desktop infrastructure across the Department. This has involved replacing almost all existing desktop hardware, and supporting file and print servers, upgrading the networks and delivering a standard set of software applications and packages.
	In future, in common with standard industry practice, IT equipment and services will be updated in line with ongoing business needs, with value for money being an important factor in determining how and when any updates take place. Additionally, our strategy and thinking will be informed by opportunities presented by advances in technology, benchmarking against industry standards and consultation with our existing suppliers and other Government Departments.

Departmental Pay

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of his Department's staff   earn less than two-thirds of male median earnings.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the table. The figures reflect the first stage of the DWP 2003 pay award. The numbers of staff earning below two-thirds of the male median will reduce when the second stage of the award is paid with May 2004 salaries.
	
		
			 DWP Under £6.00 ph Over £6.00 ph Total staff 
		
		
			 Total staff in post   (Number) 26,902 117,536 144,438 
			 Percentage of total 18.6 81.4 100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The Median of Male Gross Earnings (all employees) is £9.07 according to the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey for Winter 2003–04. Two-thirds is therefore £6.00.
	2. DWP data is taken from the February 2004 payroll.
	3. DWP salaries include allowances, but not overtime as the hourly rate calculations from which the numbers are derived are based on DWP standard contractual hours.
	4. The standard contractual hours used for the figures are 41 for full-time staff in the London pay zones, 36 for part-time staff in the London pay zones, 42 and 37 respectively for staff working outside these areas.

Disability Benefits

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of people are on disability benefits, broken down by (a) benefit and (b) region; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the following tables.
	
		People receiving disability living allowance (DLA), attendance allowance (AA) and industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB), as a percentage of the population of Great Britain and broken down by benefit combinations and Government Office region -- Thousand
		
			 Region Total Percentage of population DLA only DLA and IIDB DLA and AA DLA, AA and IIDB 
		
		
			 All 4,172.2 7.3 2,408.9 102.7 14.3 0.8 
			 North East 250.7 10.0 141.3 13.0 0.8 (25)— 
			 North West 625.4 9.3 381.1 18.1 2.1 (24)0.2 
			 Yorkshire and Number 391.2 7.9 235.7 10.1 0.9 (24)0.1 
			 East Midlands 308.8 7.3 170.3 10.2 0.9 (24)0.1 
			 West Midlands 412.3 7.8 230.5 10.6 1.6 (24)0.1 
			 East 320.4 5.9 170.7 6.1 1.3 (25)— 
			 London 383.3 5.2 240.4 4.4 1.1 (25)— 
			 South East 389.0 4.8 210.9 6.5 1.8 (25)— 
			 South West 323.3 6.5 163.0 5.2 1.2 (24)0.1 
			 Wales 322.7 11.1 194.8 9.0 1.1 (24)0.2 
			 Scotland 444.8 8.8 270.1 9.5 1.5 (25)— 
		
	
	
		Thousand
		
			 Region AA only AA and IIDB IIDB only 
		
		
			 All 1408.1 19.2 218.2 
			 North East 67.2 2.1 26.3 
			 North West 191.4 2.7 29.8 
			 Yorkshire and Number 117.2 2.1 25.2 
			 East Midlands 104.5 1.9 20.8 
			 West Midlands 146.9 2.1 20.6 
			 East 126.7 0.8 14.7 
			 London 126.4 0.7 10.4 
			 South East 148.7 0.9 20.3 
			 South West 137.4 1.3 15.2 
			 Wales 102.5 2.6 12.6 
			 Scotland 139.2 2.1 22.5 
		
	
	(24) Figures are less than 500 and subject to a high degree of sampling variation.
	(25) Denotes nil or negligible.
	Notes:
	1. Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample at 31 August 2003 for AA and DLA and at 30 September 2003 for IIDB.
	2. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.
	3. From November 2002, the methodology for producing these figures was changed to allow statistics to be published much sooner. This has resulted in a small increase in the reported caseload. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.
	4. Population Figures used to produce the percentages are mid 2002 for population of all ages. Source: Office for National Statistics.
	5. DLA is payable to all ages, if claimed before 65. IIDB is payable to working age claimants. AA is only payable on new claims to those aged 65 plus. There remain a number of AA claims in payment from before 6 April 1992, which were not converted to DLA with the introduction of the new scheme, which explains why some people still receive a combination of DLA mobility component and AA for their care costs.
	6. The total for AA does not match published individual benefit statistics as published AA statistics use rating factors to take account of late terminations.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre.

Departmental Website

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work   and Pensions what the cost of maintaining his Department's website was in the last 12 months; how many staff are responsible for the maintenance of the website; and how many hits it received in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: Development of the DWP website is carried out by the Department's own in-house web team who are responsible for its production, management and maintenance. It is not possible to quantify internal costs for the site.
	There were no contracted or quantifiable costs for the Department's website in the last 12 months.
	The department's IT contractor provides hosting of   departmental sites, and provision of web hosting services. However, internet services are not accounted for separately and it is not possible to disentangle these costs.
	The equivalent of five full-time members of staff maintain the site.
	The site attracted 77,031,942 hits in the last 12 months.

Incapacity Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish an assessment of the incapacity benefit pilots; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: We will be publishing reports at intervals during the course of the evaluation of the incapacity benefit pilots, although the full and final impact assessment will not be available until early 2007. From later this year onwards, qualitative findings on   areas such as personal advisers and customer experiences of the reforms will be published. An interim assessment of the impact of the incapacity benefit pilots will also be available in summer 2005. In parallel we will be assessing direct feedback from those responsible for, and participating in, the pilots in order to further improve the effectiveness of the support available, and apply appropriate lessons more widely.

Occupational Pension Schemes

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will fund compensation for members of occupational pension schemes who have suffered serious loss and will not be eligible for the Pension Protection Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Guildford (Sue Doughty) on 26 April 2004, Official Report, column 848W.

Pension Protection Fund

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether (a) the Chairman, (b) the Chief Executive and (c) the staff of the Pension Protection Fund will be in pensionable employment liable for the levy to the Pension Protection Fund.

Malcolm Wicks: As a part of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) employment terms and conditions the Chairman, the Chief Executive and the staff of the Pension Protection Fund will have the opportunity to join the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. This is in line with the pension provision currently provided for OPRA staff. The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, along with other similar schemes, is a funded public service pension scheme with a crown guarantee and therefore will not be required to pay the pension protection fund levies.

Public Awareness Campaigns

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what public awareness campaigns have been undertaken by his Department since 2001; and what the cost was of each.

Maria Eagle: During 2003–04 the Department for Work and Pensions ran a number of initiatives alerting people to their rights, responsibilities and entitlements through public awareness campaigns. Details of these campaigns and their respective costs are in the table.
	
		
			 2003–04 campaign Publicity expenditure (£) 
		
		
			 Future Pensioners/Informed Choice 2,700,000 
			 Pensioners' Guide 1,250,000 
			 Pension Credit 15,580,000 
			 The Pension Service 2,650,000 
			 Direct Payment 12,474,000 
			 Direct Payment road show 480,000 
			 Fraud 9,362,000 
			 Winter Fuel 938,000 
			 Council Tax Benefit 652,000 
			 New Deal 7,600,000 
			 Jobcentre Plus awareness 531,000 
			 Jobseeker Direct help-line 1,700,000 
			 Jobcentre Plus employer marketing 1,016,000 
			 Age Positive 946,000 
			 DDA Awareness 300,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All costs exclude VAT.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
	3. Information campaigns costing under £250,000 and the details of highly localised publicity activity by the Department's customer-facing businesses have generally not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures.
	A breakdown of publicity spend for 2001–02 and 2002–03 can be found in the Department's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

Unemployment Statistics (Over-50s)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of people between the age of 50 and state pension age were not in work in each year since 1997, broken down by gender; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of people were in work immediately before reaching state pension age in each year since 1997, broken down by gender; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what percentage of people between the age of 50 and state pension age were long-term unemployed in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr Holmes dated 13 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about employment and unemployment. I am replying in his absence. (172531, 172534,172535)
	The attached tables provide the information requested for the three months ending in February each year from 1997 to 2004. Table 1 shows the numbers of people in employment by gender at an age one year less than the State retirement age. Table 2 shows the numbers of people by gender, aged between 50 and State retirement age, who were not in employment. Table 3 shows the numbers of people by gender, aged between 50 and State retirement age, who were unemployed for 12 months or longer.
	All estimates are taken from the ONS Labour Force Survey. As with any statistical sample survey, estimates from the Labour Force Survey are subject to sampling variability.
	
		Table 1: Numbers and proportion of people in employment immediately prior to State retirement age, United Kingdom, three months ending February each year from 1997 to 2004 -- Thousand, percentage
		
			  Men aged 64 and women aged 59 Men aged 64 Women aged 59 
			  Number Percentage(26) Number Percentage(26) Number Percentage(26) 
		
		
			 1997 235 414 102 38.0 132 44.5 
			 1998 209 38.4 90 36.7 118 39.8 
			 1999 226 41.1 92 36.6 134 44.9 
			 2000 218 39.9 95 34.6 123 45.3 
			 2001 250 42.0 103 36.1 147 47.5 
			 2002 258 43.7 102 39.2 157 47.2 
			 2003 274 43.5 106 36.7 168 49.3 
			 2004 318 50.1 123 45.1 195 53.9 
		
	
	(26) As a percentage of population in the relevant age and gender group.
	Source:
	ONS-Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 2: Numbers and proportion of people not in employment1 aged between 50 and State retirement age, United Kingdom, three months ending February each year from 1997 to 2004 -- Thousand, percentage
		
			  Men aged 50–64 and women aged 50–59 Men aged 50–64 Women aged 50–59 
			  Number Percentage(28) Number Percentage(28) Number Percentage(28) 
		
		
			 1997 2,836 35.8 1,527 33.1 1,309 39.5 
			 1998 2,855 34.9 1,532 32.3 1,323 38.5 
			 1999 2,833 33.7 1,520 31.3 1,313 37.1 
			 2000 2,896 33.8 1,578 31.9 1,318 36.5 
			 2001 2,842 32.7 1,526 30.4 1,316 35.7 
			 2002 2,849 32.3 1,533 30.3 1,316 35.1 
			 2003 2,777 31.2 1,491 29.2 1,286 34.0 
			 2004 2,715 30.3 1,448 28.1 1,268 33.3 
		
	
	(27) Not in employment refers to people who are either unemployed or economically inactive.
	(28) As a percentage of population in the relevant age and gender group.
	Source:
	ONS-Labour Force Survey.
	
		Table 3: Numbers and proportion of people who are long-term unemployed1 aged between 50 and State retirement age, United Kingdom, three months ending February each year from 1997 to 2004 -- Thousand, percentage
		
			  Men aged 50–64 and women aged 50–59 Men aged 50–64 Women aged 50–59 
			  Number Percentage(30) Number Percentage(30) Number Percentage(30) 
		
		
			 1997 183 2.3 142 3.1 41 1.2 
			 1998 133 16 102 2.1 31 0.9 
			 1999 127 1.5 97 2.0 30 0.8 
			 2000 104 1.2 86 1.7 18 0.5 
			 2001 95 1.1 79 1.6 16 0.4 
			 2002 83 0.9 63 1.2 20 0.5 
			 2003 81 0.9 62 1.2 19 0.5 
			 2004 71 0.8 53 1.0 18 0.5 
		
	
	(29) Long-term unemployment refers to people who are unemployed for over 12 months.
	(30) As a percentage of population in the relevant age and gender group.
	Source:
	ONS-Labour Force Survey.

Websites

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total cost of the websites of (a) his Department and (b) executive agencies of his Department was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: Development for the DWP website, agency and other campaign websites is carried out by the Department's own in-house web team who are responsible for production, management and maintenance of all sites.
	Contracted and quantifiable costs are included in the following information for Jobcentre Plus and The Pensions Service websites, however it is not possible to quantify internal costs for the Department's and Child Support Agency sites.
	The department's IT contractor provides hosting of departmental websites, and provision of web hosting services. However, internet services are not accounted for separately and it is not possible to disentangle these costs. Web hosting is included within the quantified costs for the Jobcentre Plus:
	
		
			 Organisation URL Costs for 2002–03 
		
		
			 DWP www.dwp.gov.uk No external costs 
			 CSA www.csa. gov.uk No external costs 
			 Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk (31)£763,285 
			 The Pension Service www.thepensionservice.gov.uk £188,093 
		
	
	(31) Includes quantifiable web hosting costs and links to Job Bank jobs database e-Service.

Widows' Pensions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the advice he gives to those (a) public and (b) private pension schemes which will allow a recipient to keep a widow's pension in the event of re-marriage.

Malcolm Wicks: In the private sector, provision of widows' and widowers' benefits is a matter for pension scheme rules. It is up to trustees to decide what information is given to members. Where a scheme is contracted out, it must provide for widows' and widowers' benefits, but it is down to individual schemes to decide whether such payment should cease on re-marriage.
	Most public service schemes have statutory rules which require widows' and widowers' pensions to terminate on re-marriage or cohabitation.
	The Local Government Pension Scheme introduced widows' and widowers' pensions for life from April 1998.
	Since October 2002 the new Civil Service pension scheme has provided for survivor pensions to be paid to unmarried partners; the costs of these benefits are being met by higher member contributions. At the same time the requirement to terminate widows' and widowers' pension on remarriage or cohabitation was removed.

DEFENCE

Apprenticeships

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there will be apprenticeships in the Royal Navy in the future; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: There are no plans to change the training of Royal Naval personnel in respect of apprenticeships in the future. The Royal Navy will continue to encourage personnel to gain external qualifications through accreditation with civilian organisations as this is a positive recruiting initiative and provides a well trained civilian work force for the future.
	The training delivered to over 90 per cent. of personnel in the Royal Navy is eligible for the award of an apprenticeship as defined by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Currently over 3,200 personnel are working towards a Level 2 qualification.

BAE Systems

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's relationship with BAE Systems; and what assessment he has made of the ways in which it can be improved.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 10 May 2004
	Her Majesty's Government have a professional relationship with all defence contractors, and senior company officials meet regularly with the Ministry of Defence, and other Government departments.
	The MOD has set up Key Supplier Management (KSM) programmes to work with all major suppliers to improve performance from both the supplier and customer points of view.

Civilian Staff

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian staff are employed (a) by Ministry of Defence Trading Funds and (b) as Royal Fleet Auxiliaries; how many of his Department's civilian staff are on (i) career breaks, (ii) long-term sick leave and (iii) secondments; and if he will list these numbers (A) for the whole of the UK, (B) for Scotland and (C) for Wales.

Ivor Caplin: The number of full-time equivalent, permanent, industrial and non-industrial civilian staff employed by the Ministry of Defence Trading Funds and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries in the whole of the United Kingdom, in Scotland and in Wales, as at the latest available date:
	
		1March 2004
		
			  Trading funds Royal fleet auxiliaries 
		
		
			 Total UK 11,280 2,340 
			 Of which:   
			 Scotland 540 n/a 
			 Wales 2,470 n/a 
		
	
	The number of full-time equivalent, permanent, industrial and non-industrial MOD civilian staff on career breaks and secondments for the whole of the United Kingdom, for Scotland and for Wales, as at the latest available date:
	
		1March 2004
		
			  Career breaks Secondments 
		
		
			 Total UK 510 220 
			 Of which:   
			 Scotland 10 — 
			 Wales — — 
		
	
	Information on the numbers of long-term sick leave for 2003 is not yet available. I will write to the hon. Member when it has been collated and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Defence Medal Offices

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many staff are employed at defence medal offices, broken down by (a) sex and (b) those employed on a (i) permanent, (ii) fixed-term and (iii) casual basis;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the number of experienced staff who are prepared to transfer from Droitwich Spa to RAF Innsworth after the closure of the Army Medal Office.

Ivor Caplin: As at 10 May 2004, the following staff were employed at the four Defence Medal Offices.
	
		
			   Sex  Permanent Fixed term  Casual  Total 
		
		
			 Army Medal Office 29 female 26 male 52 2 1 55 
			 RAF Medal Office 6 female 9 male 12 0 3 15 
			 RM Medal Office 6 female 1 male 7 0 0 7 
			 RN Medal Office 11 female 1 male 11 0 1 12 
			   — — — 89 
		
	
	The Investment Appraisal assumed nine staff would transfer from Droitwich to Innsworth to build upon the existing cadre of experienced Innsworth based RAF Medal office staff. Until the current staff preference exercise is completed at the end of May, no further assessment can be made as to the number of experienced staff prepared to transfer from Droitwich to Innsworth.

Defence Medal Offices

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the timetable is for the closure of the Army Medal Office in Droitwich Spa;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on his plans to minimise disruption in the issuing of medals normally issued by   the Army Medal Office in Droitwich Spa during the   period of its closure and relocation to RAF Innsworth.

Ivor Caplin: My written statement on 20 April 2004, Official Report, column 12WS, made clear that this will be a phased operation. The phased closure is part of the risk reduction strategy to counter the temporary disruption in the issuing of medals that may occur during the actual move.

Defence Projects

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all (a) category A, (b) category B and (c) category C projects of his Department that have achieved their in-service date since 31 March 1997; and when the in-service date was achieved.

Adam Ingram: A list of all Category A, Category B and Category C equipment projects procured by the Defence Procurement Agency and achieving in-service date is set out in the following table. Details prior to 1 April 2001 are incomplete as project information before that time is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Project name ISD 
		
		
			 Ocean Survey Vessel (HMS SCOTT) June-1997 
			 Skynet 4 Stage II May-1998 
			 PtarmiganMapps (Deployable Trunk Communications System) December-2000 
			 Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) April-2001 
			 Verticle Launched Anti-tank Munition (Shielder) May-2001 
			 COBLU-RN Communications Electronic Surveillance Measures July-2001 
			 Joint Command System (Logistics) August-2001 
			 Tractor Wheeled Earthmoving Medium August-2001 
			 C-17—Strategic Airlift September-2001 
			 Joint Operations Command System September-2001 
			 CHUB (Classified project) November-2001 
			 High Frequency Broadcast Modernisation December-2001 
			 SCAD 101 (submarine counter-measures acoustic devices) December-2001 
			 SCAD 200 (submarine counter-measures acoustic devices) December-2001 
			 ASRAAM (Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile) January-2002 
			 BOWMAN Personal Role Radio January-2002 
			 Replacement Precision Approach Radar (RPAR) March-2002 
			 RAF Command Control and Information System (RAF CCIS) March-2002 
			 Sea King MK7 March-2002 
			 Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) May-2002 
			 Lynx Mk 7/9 Aircrew Training Service May-2002 
			 Radar Type 996 May-2002 
			 Sea Dart IR Fuze July-2002 
			 SA80 Modification August-2002 
			 PSC 504—portable sitcom terminal September-2002 
			 Tactical Communications Digitisation Programme November-2002 
			 JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution System) into the SeaKing (w) Mk 7 December-2002 
			 Area Weapons Effects Simulation (AWES) January-2003 
			 Tornado GR4 Synthetic Training Service (TSTS) January-2003 
			 Range Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System (RAIDS) January-2003 
			 Auxiliary Oiler March-2003 
			 Attack Helicopter Conversion Training (for aircrew, groundcrew and maintenance technicians) April-2003 
			 RORO—Strategic Sealift April-2003 
			 Secure Comms for the RAF April-2003 
			 Man-Portable Chemical Agent Detector (MCAD) May-2003 
			 Typhoon (agile combat aircraft) June-2003 
			 Heavy Equipment Transporter July-2003 
			 Landing Platform Dock (Replacement) July-2003 
			 DLH Offboard Active Decoy September-2003 
			 Survey Vessels (HMS ECHO) September-2003 
			 AH Crew and Special-to-arm collective training November-2003 
			 General Key Management November-2003 
			 Integrated Biological Detection System (IBDS) November-2003 
			 Directional Infra-Red Counter Measures (DIRCM) December-2003 
			 Very Low Frequency Received Signal Service December-2003 
			 Land System Reference Centre—Internet Protocol January-2004 
			 All Terrain Vehicle (Platform)—Viking February-2004 
			 BOWMAN—Tactical Communication System March-2004 
			 Hunt Mid-Life Update—Sonar Type 2193 March-2004 
			 Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF) March-2004

Departmental Executive Agencies

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list place in the Library copies of the annual report and accounts for the (a) Fleet Air Arm Museum, (b) Royal Marines Museum, (c) Royal Naval Museum, (d) Royal Navy Submarine Museum, (e) National Army Museum and (f) Royal Air Force Museum for financial years 1997–98 to 2001–02.

Ivor Caplin: Yes.

Equipment Service Dates

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the forecast in-service date was on 31 March 1997 for the Advanced Air-Launched Anti-Armour Weapon;
	(2)  what the forecast in-service date was on 31 March 1998 for the High Velocity Missile System;
	(3)  what the forecast in-service date was on 31 March 1999 for the (a) High Velocity Missile System and (b) Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the library of the House.

Royal Naval Engineering Artificer

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the title of Royal Naval Engineering Artificer is to be replaced by Engineering Technician; and whether there will be a change in the standards expected of occupants of the post.

Ivor Caplin: A review of the structure, organisation and training of both the Warfare and Engineering Branches of the Royal Navy is currently taking place. It is probable that the term Engineering Technician will be adopted for all members of the Engineering Branch below the rank of Commissioned Officer, replacing the Artificer and Mechanic titles currently in use. The title Artificer no longer adequately describes the professional role that those personnel undertake in the modern Navy. Replacing them with Engineering Technicians will align the Navy with the standards of competence published by the Engineering Council United Kingdom, and refresh the image of this key role against increasingly competitive recruitment market forces.
	The fleet continues to require highly trained and experienced personnel to provide the necessary technical support to ensure that the Royal Navy delivers its full range of operational capability. An expected outcome from the current review is that training will be better targeted through a career, and that naval Engineering Technicians who complete the training satisfactorily will be awarded a Foundation Degree, reflecting the comprehensive set of skills that they will possess.

Saudi Armed Forces Project Office

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place between BAE Systems and the Department regarding the Saudi Armed Forces Project office of the Ministry of Defence between 2000 and 2002; when these discussions took place; what the nature of each discussion was; what the   outcome of each was; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Saudi Armed Forces Project, which is a part of the Ministry of Defence, is responsible for fulfilling the MOD's obligations in respect of the Al Yamamah (AY) programme. This includes monitoring the progress and performance of the programme prime contractor, BAE Systems, in the delivery of goods and services supplied to the Saudi Armed Forces. In this role and as the Department's focal point for AY matters, there is daily contact between members of the Project and representatives of BAE Systems on a wide range of issues affecting the performance of the AY contracts.

Support Vehicles

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the reliability of the Oshkosh support vehicles currently deployed in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I assume that the Oshkosh support vehicles to which you refer are the Heavy Equipment Transporters. A fleet of 16 was deployed to Iraq in November 2003, and their reliability is assessed on a monthly basis against Key Performance Indicators. To date, these have all been achieved.

Sustainable Development

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote the delivery of sustainable development within Government.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence fully supports the Sustainable Development in Government Initiative. We have been working actively with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the development of targets in respect of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
	For each of the Framework targets published to date (environmental management systems, travel, water, biodiversity and energy), the Department has published a statement within the timeframe required, outlining the steps it will take to address the targets.
	The MOD contributes data to the annual Government Report on Sustainable Development report produced by DEFRA. Details of the Department's progress are available in the 2nd Annual Report (2003). The MOD will be producing an annual sustainable development report in November 2004.
	We are also engaged in the current review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy.
	In addition MOD is working on its own Sustainable Development Strategy.

Sustainable Development

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with his Department's Sustainable Development Strategy.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence has been developing its own Sustainable Development Strategy (which will support its activities) based on the Government's existing strategy. We intend to publish a summary version in the near future.
	In addition to its own Strategy, MOD contributes to the wider framework for sustainable development on the Government estate led by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. MOD has published a statement for each of the framework targets published to date (environmental management system, travel, water, biodiversity and energy) outlining the steps it will take them to address them.

Territorial Army

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total strength of the Territorial Army was on 1 May; how many of its members are deployed abroad; and in which countries.

Ivor Caplin: The information requested is not yet available. For the most recent figures relating to the strength of the Territorial Army (TA) and numbers deployed, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 April 2004, Official Report, column 728W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock).
	The countries in which members of the TA are currently deployed are Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Ivor Caplin: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 31W, by   my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment and Agri-Environment.

Weapons Testing

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) his Department, (b) non-departmental public bodies or executive agencies responsible to his Department and (c) consultants contracted to his Department used non-human primates in experiments to test the effects of weapons in each of the last three years.

Adam Ingram: The only work carried out or sponsored by the Ministry of Defence on non-human primates is that undertaken by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, (an agency of MOD) which has during the last three years conducted work using non-human primates to assess the effects and significance of human exposure to nerve agents and to develop medical countermeasures as appropriate. Additionally, work has been conducted in collaboration with allies to evaluate the performance and safety of protective countermeasures, for example, new vaccines against biological warfare agents.

Young Service Personnel (Deaths)

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces under the age of 18 have died while serving in each of the last 10 years.

Ivor Caplin: Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2003, 28 regular armed forces personnel under the age of 18 have died in service. These deaths occurred in the following years:
	
		Deaths in regular armed forces personnel aged under 18 years
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1994 0 
			 1995 3 
			 1996 2 
			 1997 0 
			 1998 3 
			 1999 5 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 5 
			 2002 4 
			 2003 1 
			 Total 28

CABINET OFFICE

Buckingham Palace Garden Parties

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answer of 26 April, to Question ref 168814, on garden parties, whether an exception has been made in the last 10 years to the policy of not permitting nominations for Commonwealth citizens to be made on the nomination form used by hon. Members.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply
	The arrangements under which Commonwealth citizens are nominated by their High Commissions for invitations to Royal Garden Parties have been in place for well over 10 years. I am not aware of any exceptions having been made.

Green Minister

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the meetings his Department has been present at regarding the delivery of sustainable development across Government as coordinated by the Ministerial Sub-committee of Green Ministers.

Douglas Alexander: Departmental officials regularly attend meetings to discuss the delivering of sustainable development across Government.
	As regards to Cabinet Committee business, it is established practice under exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose such information.

Recycled Paper

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained.

Douglas Alexander: Since August 2002 all printing contractors used by the Cabinet Office use the cross-departmental framework contract for the supply of recycled paper for printed publications. Paper supplied is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum post consumer waste content of 75 per cent.

Shareholder Executive

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what consultations have been conducted by the Shareholder Executive on corporate finance and governance; and which of these consultations have been published.

Douglas Alexander: The Shareholder Executive has conducted a wide range of consultations on shareholder and governance issues, including with shareholding departments, companies owned by Government and other relevant parties outside Government. The Shareholder Executive is using these consultations to inform its work to improve Government's performance as a shareholder.

Shareholder Executive

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister for the   Cabinet Office what the (a) resource budget, (b) administration cost and (c) staff numbers of the Shareholder Executive were for 2003–04; and when the annual report will be published.

Douglas Alexander: The resource budget allocated to the Shareholder Executive for 2003–04 was £2.2 million. The outturn administration cost, currently estimated at £1 million, reflects the Shareholder Executive being created only part way through the year. At the 31 March 2004, there were 12 members of staff in the Shareholder Executive. The Shareholder Executive is an integral part of the Cabinet Office and its activities are covered by the Cabinet Office's annual report.

Timber

Joan Walley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Office plans to contribute financially to the establishment of the second phase of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Douglas Alexander: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Mr. Morley) on 10 May 2004, Official Report, column 31W.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Ethnic Minorities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to bring the number of employees from ethnic minority backgrounds in (a) the Police Service and (b) the judiciary into line with ethnic breakdown of the population in Britain.

Hazel Blears: The Government are committed to achieving a culturally diverse workforce in the police service that is representative of the local communities it serves. We are engaged with the leadership of the police service in addressing diversity and promoting race equality in the areas of recruitment, training and development.
	We are pursuing a number of positive initiatives to improve representation in the police service. We have introduced national recruitment, assessment and selection processes that are fair and transparent and designed to weed out applicants with racist attitudes. Within this, we are encouraging, for example, all forces to use members of their minority communities as assessors in their selection processes.
	In January we launched a new action plan "Breaking Through—Promoting Minority Ethnic Employment in the Police Service" to help forces focus on steps to improve recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minorities.
	We have recently conducted advertising aimed at ethnic minorities and have produced a new ethnic minority recruitment leaflet for forces. Our relaunched police recruitment website encourages applications from ethnic minorities and women.
	In terms of the Judiciary, my right hon. noble and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor has introduced a bill to create a new, independent, Judicial Appointments Commission which will inspire a more diverse range of applicants through a more open, transparent and accessible system. The Department is also examining whether other barriers exist to deter applicants from   minority groups, while continuing to run its comprehensive outreach programme.

Active Communities Unit

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who the recipients of grants made by the Active Communities Unit were in (a) 2003–04 and (b) in each of the previous five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: A full listing of Active Community Unit grant recipients in 2003 04, and in each of the previous five years, has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Active Communities Unit

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Active Communities Unit's budget is for 2004–05.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Active Community Unit's budget for 2004–05, rounded to the nearest million pounds, is currently £84 million. In addition, the unit is responsible for £57 million of the Futurebuilders Fund, which is being distributed by an independent provider under contract to the Home Office.

Antisocial Behaviour

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for   the Home Department how many (a) anti-social behaviour orders, (b) curfew orders and (c) other measures have been used to ban individuals from railway stations without intent to travel in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: (a) Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)—Introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act (1998) ASBOs have been available to the courts since 1 April 1999. The statistical database does not identify the type of restriction imposed on orders.
	(b) Curfew Orders—It is not possible from the information collected centrally to identify the individual requirements of Curfew Orders imposed at magistrate's courts and the Crown Court.
	(c) Other measures— British Transport Police advise that it is their policy to ask for extended conditions to keep offenders of the railway when a Football Banning Order (FBO) is applied for. Currently there are 30 subjects whose FBO has conditions stopping persons from travelling upon the railway.

Antisocial Behaviour

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued against businesses in each of the last five years, broken down by region.

Hazel Blears: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) cannot be made against businesses, they can only be made against named individuals.

Asylum/Immigration

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for theHome Department what factors prevent his Department from removing failed asylum seekers from the UK to (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq, (c) Somalia, (d) Zimbabwe and (e) Eritrea.

Des Browne: All asylum and human rights claims are considered on their individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Should a claim be refused and any appeal before the independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means that for that individual it is safe to return.
	We have an agreement with the Afghan Authorities which enables us to return significant numbers of Afghan failed asylum seekers to Afghanistan each month.
	We have also reached an agreement with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to begin enforced returns of Iraqi failed asylum seekers.
	We are currently working on the practicalities of the returns programme, and will commence returns as soon as these arrangements are finalised.
	We are currently facilitating the return of those Iraqis who wish to go home through the International Organisation for Migration.
	We also have a returns agreement with the Somaliland authorities and have also begun to return small numbers of failed asylum seekers to Somalia.
	We are currently in discussion with the Eritrean Government on improving the issuing of re-documentation to Eritrean nationals who we wish to return.
	The only country to which, as a matter of policy, we do not at present generally enforce the return of failed asylum seekers is Zimbabwe. This policy is based not on asylum or human rights reasons but on our view that in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe, it would be inappropriate forcibly to return failed asylum seekers applicable at this time.

Asylum/Immigration

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms are in place to ensure asylum decisions affecting nationals of EU accession countries, including outstanding cases where an initial refusal was given but which are subject to further process, are expedited after 1 May when National Asylum Support Service and local authority provision for such asylum seekers ends.

Des Browne: holding answer 26 April 2004
	In relation to the small number of asylum seekers who may not yet have received an initial decision on their asylum application, these cases will be dealt with as a priority. Nationals of EU accession countries who have outstanding appeals against the decision to refuse their asylum claim will be advised of their rights as EU nationals and invited to withdraw their appeals. If they do not formally withdraw their appeals and are issued with a residence permit, their appeal will automatically be treated as abandoned.
	In relation to the ending of support on 1 May, the National Asylum Support Service (MASS) wrote to all NASS-supported cases on 5–6 April and all interim cases on 16 April informing them of their options, namely that they can work, become otherwise self-supporting, or leave the UK.

Asylum/Immigration

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have (a) applied for and (b) been refused help under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Des Browne: The information requested is not available and could be produced only at a disproportionate cost.
	When it is not possible for a failed asylum seeker to return to their country of origin following a negative decision, an application may be made for support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, which came into force on 11 November 1999. There are no published statistics on the number of failed asylum seekers who have applied, and have been accepted or refused, for accommodation under Section 4.
	Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service is published quarterly. The next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum/Immigration

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have applied for judicial review in the last 12 months; and how many have been (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their application.

Des Browne: Information on the number of asylum seekers who have applied for judicial review, for the latest 12-month period for which data are available, are given in the table. The table shows the total number of applications, decisions and grants of permission to apply for judicial review as well as the outcomes of judicial review hearings. Decisions do not necessarily correspond to applications for permission to apply for judicial review in any given period. Only a small proportion, nine per cent. of applications for permission to apply for judicial review were granted in 2002.
	
		Application for Judicial Review, and outcomes, excluding dependants, 20021
		
			  
		
		
			 Applications for permission to apply for Judicial Review(33) 
			 Applications 3,075 
			 Decisions(34) 2,980 
			 of which:  
			 Granted permission on to apply 260 
			 Percentage of applicants granted permission to apply(35) (9) 
			 The outcome of judicial review hearings(33) 
			 Allowed 5  
			 Total 25 
			 As percentage of total determined (30) 
			 Dismissed 6  
			 Total 60 
			 As percentage of total determined (67) 
			 Withdrawn  
			 Total 5 
			 As percentage of total determined (3) 
		
	
	(32) Provisional figures
	(33) Figures based on Administrative Court data. Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2
	(34) Decisions do not relate to applications in any given period
	(35) The number of which granted leave to move as a percentage of decisions
	(36) The decision of the respondent (in this case, the Home Office or the Immigration Appeal Tribunal) was quashed. These figures include consent order where the JR was conceded by the respondent
	(37) The decision of the respondent was upheld
	Statistics on judicial review are published annually; data covering 2003 are due to be published towards the end of August 2004. Copies of the most recent publications are available from the Library of the House or on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice. gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Immigration and Nationality Directorate caseworkers dealt with asylum claims in each of the past three years; what the (a) target and (b) actual maximum case load was in each year; what staff turnover was in each year; how many days' work was lost through sickness in each year; and what provision has been made for staff to receive stress counselling.

Des Browne: During 2003 there were 570 full time equivalent staff employed as asylum caseworkers in post. This compares with 556 and 632 caseworkers during 2002 and 2001.
	The Home Office's Public Service Agreement (PSA) target for 2003–04 was to ensure that 75 per cent. of new substantive asylum applications (excluding withdrawals and third country cases) were decided within two months. This was an increase from the 65 per cent. and 60 per cent. targets met in 2002–03 and 2001–02 respectively, and reflects the Government's commitment to, and success in, speeding up the initial decision-making process.
	The total number of applications received during 2003, 2002 and 2001 was 49,370, 84,130 and 71,025 respectively.
	The number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision as of December 2003 was 24,500 (the latest date for which published figures are available), the lowest level for 10 years. This compares to 42,200 and 41,300 for 2001 and 2002 respectively and is a significant reduction from the 1997 level of 51,795.
	Information on the number of asylum applications outstanding and the timeliness of initial decisions is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	Data are not recorded for staff turnover or absenteeism of caseworkers in contrast to other members of staff within the Home Office and would be available only at disproportionate cost. Sickness absence for the Home Office is recorded and published by the Cabinet Office.
	Advice, support and counselling on dealing with stress is available to all members of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. This is provided through the Home Office Health and Welfare Service.

Asylum/Immigration

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU citizens have been removed from the United Kingdom in each year since 1997 in circumstances where they are deemed to be unable to support themselves and are an unreasonable burden on the state, broken down by EU member state.

Des Browne: Information on the number of EU nationals removed from the UK and on the personal circumstances of those people who are removed is not available.
	Under EEA regulations an EU national can be removed and excluded from the UK if it is decided that their removal is justified on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health. Any right of residence is subject to that individual demonstrating that they can exercise a specific treaty right to reside.
	The number of people removed from the UK in 2003 is due to be published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2003" on the Home Office web-site at the end of August. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Brain Fingerprinting

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 5 May 2004, Official Report, column 1541W, on brain fingerprinting, if he will evaluate the effectiveness of brain fingerprinting technologies that monitor the involuntary electrical waves emitted by the brain.

Hazel Blears: There are no plans at present for the Home Office to evaluate brain fingerprinting technologies. However claims about the effectiveness of this technology will be considered in the Police Science and Technology Strategy Group with a view to deciding whether any research should be considered.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 5 April with regard to Mrs. Rahmat Bibi.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 12 May 2004.

Crime

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in (a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts in Oldham, West and Royton has been since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally.
	Oldham West and Royton comes within the Oldham Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has only been published from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk

Crime

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in (a) overall recorded crime, (b) recorded violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts in South Ribble has been since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not available centrally.
	South Ribble is a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has   only been published from 199902000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk

Crime

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change since 1997 is in West Lancashire in (a) overall recorded crime, (b) violent crime, (c) burglaries and (d) vehicle thefts.

David Blunkett: The information requested is not available centrally.
	West Lancashire is a Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) area. Data at CDRP level has only been published from 1999–2000 onwards. Detailed statistics at CDRP level are available for 2002–03 on the new Home Office website: http://www.crimestatistics. org.uk

Crimes Against Business

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the prosecutions brought as a result of National Criminal Intelligence Service operations in the last 10 years related to crimes against business.

Hazel Blears: Prosecutions brought as a result of National Criminal Intelligence Service operations cannot be identified in the court proceedings statistics collected centrally.

Crimes Against Business

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on which dates he met small and medium sized enterprises and manufacturers to discuss crimes against business in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004.

Hazel Blears: My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, Junior Ministers and officials in the Home Office have many meetings with small and medium sized enterprises and manufacturers to discuss a range of business crime issues.
	Recently we have established a Small Business Forum with members from a wide range of organisations to hear at first hand the particular crime problems small and medium sized enterprises face, and to develop and implement practical and effective measures to reduce those crimes.

Departmental Response Times

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) Written Answers, (b) replies to hon. Members' written correspondence and (c) public correspondence with his Department was (i) seen and (ii) cleared by special advisers before being published in 2003–04.

David Blunkett: Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers". Ministers approve answers to all Parliamentary Questions and replies to hon. Members' written correspondence. They also approve replies to public correspondence except that dealt with directly by permanent civil servants.

Entry Clearance Standards

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Statement of 30 March, Official Report, column 1433, on entry clearance standards, whether (a) the hotline and (b) the website he announced has been set up.

Des Browne: I can confirm that the telephone hotline and website have been set up as announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 30 March 2004, Official Report, column 1433.

Hirst v. UK

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Hirst v. United Kingdom concerning a violation of Article 3 Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have noted the judgment and intends to request that the case be referred to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in accordance with Article 43 of the Convention.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many biometric identifiers will be used on national identity cards.

Des Browne: There has been no firm decision made on how many biometric identifiers will be used on the identity card.
	These decisions will be made in the light of work under way on the feasibility of different technologies and the design of processes around identity enrolment and verification.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the relationship between the proposed National Identity Register and the proposed population register.

Des Browne: Legislation on Identity Cards—A Consultation (CM 6178) explains that the National Identity Register and the population register are separate but complementary proposals. The Home Office is working closely with the Registrar-General for England and Wales on the development of the two proposals.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) preparatory work and (b) testing he is planning to assess the (i) requirements for the design of identity cards and (ii) arrangements for application.

Des Browne: Over recent months the Home Office has been in wide ranging discussions with both the public and private sectors about their potential requirements for the ID cards scheme. As explained in CM 6178—Legislation on Identity Cards— A Consultation, this will now be followed by a programme definition phase. We intend to undertake volume testing from 2007 that will cover the end to end process.

Identity Cards

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the application process for identity cards will be (a) monitored and (b) assessed.

Des Browne: Legislation on Identity Cards— A Consultation (CM 6178) invites views on the governance options of the scheme.

Identity Cards

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State forthe Home Department what alternative eye technologies his Department investigated before concluding that the iris should form the basis for an identity card.

Des Browne: Both retina and iris recognition were considered by the National Physical Laboratory in their evaluation of biometric technologies. It has not yet been decided that iris recognition will be used in the identity card scheme. The feasibility of using iris recognition for identity cards is under investigation.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies are being considered as potential suppliers of systems for issuing identity cards.

Des Browne: The Home Office has not yet made any decision about which companies would be considered potential suppliers of systems for ID Cards.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the categories of private sector organisations that will be able to apply for accreditation to access the National Identity Register under the Draft Identity Card Bill; and whether this includes overseas (a) private sector organisations and (b) governments.

Des Browne: No decisions have yet been taken on the precise arrangements for accreditation of businesses orother organisations seeking verification of an individual's identity from the National Identity Register.

Identity Theft

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the international standards of biometric data were agreed; and how many countries have agreed them.

Des Browne: In May 2003 the Air Transport Committee of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) agreed world-wide standards for the introduction of biometrics in travel documents to protect against fraud and forgery. ICAO is a United Nations organisation with 188 contracting states.

Identity Theft

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what standards the new passport biometrics will be required to meet; and whether they are compliant with US standards.

Des Browne: The Air Transport Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) agreed that the primary biometric identifier should be a facial image stored on a contactless radio frequency chip. Also that additional biometrics may be used by nations on a bi-lateral basis; fingerprints and iris being agreed for this purpose. These standards were accepted and endorsed by the Committee as the globally interoperable standard and implemented through the International Standards Organisation (ISO), Standards Committee SC37. The USA along with the UK are active participants in this standards work.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place for staff in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to raise matters of concern with (a) their superiors and (b) ministers.

Des Browne: holding answer 11 March 2004
	Home Office staff can raise concerns or matters of conscience either with the Head of Department or confidentially with a nominated official outside their line management chain and, if still dissatisfied, have the right to raise the matter with the Civil Service Commissioners. If events develop so rapidly that it is not possible to follow this procedure, staff may write to the Head of Department who will advise the Departmental Minister, if applicable, and inform the Head of the Home Civil Service. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 30 March column 1433 that a telephone hotline would be set up alongside the existing procedures for staff to raise concerns or matters of conscience.

National Identity Register

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he proposes to ensure that information stored on the National Identity Register concerning and individuals' address is up-to-date.

Des Browne: The draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April includes a requirement under clause 12 for an individual to whom an ID card has been issued to notify prescribed changes which affect the accuracy of the Register. This will help to ensure compliance with the Fourth Principle of the Data Protection Act 1998 which states that personal data should be accurate and, where necessary, kept up-to-date.
	Drivers are already used to the requirement to notify a change of address to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and we expect that people will want to keep their details up-to-date otherwise their card will be less useful to them. Failure to update prescribed details may result in the imposition of a civil penalty not exceeding £1,000 under clause 12(6).

Online Advice

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is available online giving guidance to people from EU accession states on living and working legally in the UK.

Des Browne: Full guidance about the rights and responsibilities of accession nationals wishing to work and live in the United Kingdom for accession nationals was published on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate websites, www.workingintheuk.gov.uk and www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk on 27 April 2004.

Police

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police community support officers were employed by the Metropolitan Police on 1 January 2004.

Hazel Blears: On 1 January 2004 the Metropolitan Police Service employed 1157 Community Support Officers.

Police

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fully qualified police officers were employed by the Metropolitan police on (a) 1 May 1997 and (b) 1 January.

Hazel Blears: Information on police numbers is collected quarterly. The Metropolitan Police Service had 26,677 police officers on 31 March 1997. This had increased to a record number of 29,441 officers on 31 December 2003. All police officers are available for duty from the day of joining the force.
	Additionally the Metropolitan police had 12,093 police staff and 1,431 Community Support Officers at the end of December 2003.

Police

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the total Metropolitan police uniformed force is accounted for by police community support officers.

Hazel Blears: The Metropolitan Police Service does not keep records of which Police Officers and staff members are currently working in uniform. The table shows the total strength of Police Officers, Staff, Traffic Wardens and Community Support Officers as of 1 January 2004. Community Support Officers account for 2.7 per cent. of the total strength of the force.
	
		
			 Personnel Strength 
		
		
			 Police officers 29,886.27 
			 Police staff (excluding CSOs and Traffic Wardens) 11,772.59 
			 Traffic Wardens 543.30 
			 Community Support Officers 1,157.14 
			 Total 43,359.3

Police

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) traffic police, (b) mounted police, (c) police dog handlers, (d) armed response team officers and (e) Criminal Investigation Department officers there are in Lancashire.

Hazel Blears: Published information on police strength by police force area is available for rank, gender and ethnicity but not function. Figures on Police Strength for March 2003, were published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/03, copies of which are available in the library or on the internet site: http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hosbpubs1.html.

Police

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in South Ribble has been since 1997.

Hazel Blears: South Ribble is in the Southern Basic Command Unit (BCU) of Lancashire Constabulary. BCU strength figures are only available for March 2002 and 2003. The information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Strength Percentage change 
		
		
			 31 March 2002 462 — 
			 31 March 2003 500 +8.2

Racial Equality Councils

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the racial equality councils that have been successful in securing section 44 funding; and what the total funding allocation was.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Commission for Racial Equality notified applicants of its funding decisions on Thursday 6 May.

Racial Equality Councils

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racial equality councils are estimated to be in danger of closure as a result of recent allocations of Commission for Racial Equality section 44 funding for 2004–05.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) advises me that following its initial assessment based on grant previously awarded and local knowledge, potentially up to 11 racial equality councils may be in danger of closure. In the event of closure or significant reduction in services provided, CRE staff will work with local councils, Government Offices and Local Strategic Partnerships where appropriate to ensure there is local ownership, support and continuity of services in the areas affected.

Racial Equality Councils

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Commission for Racial Equality has decided to grant its section 44 funding to groups other than racial equality councils.

Fiona Mactaggart: Section 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976 sets out the purpose for which grant may be awarded. It does not prescribe which types of bodies may receive financial assistance and therefore does not limit such assistance to racial equality councils.
	We warmly welcome the Commission for Racial Equality's policy of using the Getting Results programme to support any innovative project which is making a difference to race equality and race relations within its local community.

Racial Equality Councils

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications were received for Commission for Racial Equality section 44 funding in each of the last five bid rounds.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Commission for Racial Equality is collating this information. The chair of the CRE will write to my hon. Friend in due course.

Small Retailers

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much has been spent through the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas initiative in each year since 2001, broken down by region;
	(2)  what targets are in place to measure and assess projects undertaken as part of the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme;
	(3)  when he will publish the review of the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas scheme.

Hazel Blears: The £15 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the Small Retailers in Deprived Areas initiative was made available as follows; 2001–02—£3 million; 2002–03—£6 million; and 2003–04—£6 million. A small amount was set aside for administration and evaluation, with the regional allocations as follows:
	
		£
		
			 Region 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 Total 
		
		
			 Eastern 196,620 393,475 393,475 983,570 
			 East Midlands 236,060 471,052 471,052 1,178,164 
			 London 454,720 910,515 910,515 2,275,750 
			 North East 248,530 496,244 496,244 1,241,018 
			 North West 470,670 942,209 942,209 2,355,088 
			 South East 246,500 493,580 493,580 1,233,660 
			 South West 194,300 389,604 389,604 973,508 
			 Wales 190,820 381,257 381,257 953,334 
			 West Midlands 333,210 666,182 666,182 1,665,574 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 327,410 655,882 655,882 1,639,174 
		
	
	All the funding, other than a small amount in the region of £250,000 due to slippage on some projects in 2003–04, has been fully disbursed. This equates to 1.7 per cent. of the total capital allocation.
	Individual projects are developed by local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships in conjunction with Regional Home Office Directors. Part of this process is to ensure adequate local targets have been set and systems put in place to measure performance against them.
	The evaluation of the scheme will pull out key best practice and learning points from eight case studies, plus four other regional sites. The evaluation will examine ways in which the scheme has impacted upon businesses, such as changes in levels of retail crime; fear of crime among businesses and their customers; business viability; partnership working; and improved security behaviour among businesses.
	We hope to publish the full evaluation of the Small Retailers scheme later this year.

Stolen Goods

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the role of (a) pawnbrokers and (b) shops dealing in second hand goods in providing a market for stolen goods; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: In 1998, Dr. Mike Sutton produced, on behalf of the Home Office, a report entitled 'Handling stolen goods and theft: a market reduction approach'. This identified five distinct markets for stolen goods, one of which was commercial outlets such as pawn brokers and second hand goods shops.
	Under the Targeted Policing Initiative (part of the Crime Reduction Programme, which ran from 1999 to 2003), we provided funding totalling around £1.4 million to projects in Stockport, Kent and West Mercia aimed at reducing the market in stolen goods. The second hand goods trade was just one of several distribution channels for stolen goods that these projects targeted. In particular, the Stockport and Kent projects used local legislation, which regulates second hand goods outlets. Under the terms of the Kent and Medway Acts 2001, Kent and Medway Councils must also present the Home Office with a report on the working provisions of the Acts by 1 December, which will subsequently be laid before Parliament.
	The Home Office has also commissioned the University of Kent to evaluate the effectiveness of these and similar pieces of legislation and we are planning to lay a summary of the results of this research before Parliament at the same time.
	We are also aware of further research that is being undertaken into thieves' preferred method of disposing of stolen property and we will be looking to see what this adds to our existing knowledge.
	Our programme of work to drive down the market for stolen goods includes, amongst other things, activities aimed at those pawn brokers and other second hand goods outlets that deal in stolen property.

Stolen Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to make the drivers of stolen vehicles that have been immobilised remotely and which   cause an accident legally responsible for any liability.

Hazel Blears: There are no plans to bring forward such legislation.
	Although the remote stopping of moving vehicles is technically possible, achieving this in a way that is safe and secure is some way off. Further research is being conducted into this technology and this will include the examination of legal liability issues.

Stowaways

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of undetected stowaways entering the UK in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: There is no official estimate of the number of clandestine entrants to the UK.
	Illegal entry action is initiated against those people who are detected having entered or attempting to enter the country clandestinely or by means of deception, either verbal or documentary.
	The available figures include those people who were identified as having entered the country clandestinely, they are not separately identifiable as such information would only be available by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.

Wormwood Scrubs

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to identify and interview members of staff of HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs who were employed in the months leading up to and including the day of the death of John   Boyle in December 1994, who may have witnessed or been involved in bullying and abusive behaviour.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 2 March 2004
	Mr. Boyle's death at HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs in December 1994 predates current Prison Service policy for investigating deaths in custody and, from the information currently available, there is no evidence to suggest that an investigation was conducted. However, staff working on the Segregation Unit on the day of Mr. Boyle's death were asked to submit incident reports at the time. A coroner's inquest into Mr. Boyle's death, for which several members of staff were called as witnesses, returned an open verdict in May 1995.

HEALTH

Animal Welfare

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health   what guidelines his Department issues for experimentation on non-human primates in order to improve cures to illnesses shared by primates and humans; and what plans he has to introduce alternatives to the use of primates in medical research.

Melanie Johnson: Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, no animals can be used in scientific procedures if alternatives are available and primates can only be used if no other species are suitable and readily obtainable. Every effort will continue to be required to minimise primate use and find alternatives where practicable. The United Kingdom legislation regulating animal experiments is widely regarded as the toughest in the world. The Government's policy is never to allow the use of great apes.
	The Medical Research Council (MRC) has established the Centre for Best Practice for Animals in   Research (CBPAR) as part of its continuing commitment to high standards in laboratory animal use   and welfare. Following consultation with vets, scientists, experts in primate welfare, and animal welfare organisations, CBPAR has developed guidelines on best practice in the accommodation and care of primates used in scientific procedures. These guidelines have now been published and will shortly be available on the MRC website at www.mrc.ac.uk.

Baby Food

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what evidence he has collated of a link between consumption of high sugar content baby foods   and obesity in children; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to require baby food labelling to show prominently the sugar content;
	(3)  what representations he has received on the labelling of baby foods to show sugar content.

Melanie Johnson: We have not collated evidence of a link between consumption of high sugar content baby foods and obesity in children.
	Labelling rules for baby foods are agreed at European Union level. The presence of sugar added as an ingredient to baby foods must be declared as an ingredientas part of the list of ingredients appearing on the product label.
	Additional specific labelling requirements for these foods require the actual amounts of certain nutrients present, such as protein, fat and carbohydrate, to be declared. However, a declaration of the actual amounts of sugar present is not mandatory and there are no plans to introduce such a requirement at this time.
	There have been no representations on the labelling of sugar content for baby foods over the past year.

Bounty Packs

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Bounty packs were distributed to new mothers within maternity units in Britain in each year since 1995.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally. Bounty is an independent commercial organisation that distributes free product samples and packs containing information to expectant and new mothers.

Care Homes

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many anonymous complaints about care homes have been received since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department does not collect information on complaints about care homes. Since April 2002, all care homes in England have been regulated by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC), which was replaced by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in April 2004. The NCSC and CSCI collects information about complaints.
	I understand from the Chairman of CSCI that the number of anonymous complaints about care homes recorded on the Registration and Inspection database are as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 20022003 1596 
			 20032004 1914

Departmental Staff (Drugs)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of his Department's employees received counselling for drug use in 2003.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has a contract with Corecare to provide a counselling service for its employees. Corecare received no requests from the Department's employees requesting counselling for drug use in 2003.

Emergency Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many administrators are involved, and at what annual cost in each trust, in dealing with the resulting paperwork from emergency service staff captured on speed cameras contravening speed limits;
	(2)  on how many occasions in each of the last 12 months ambulances on emergency calls in each health trust area have been captured on speed cameras contravening speed limits.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available centrally.
	However, the Department is aware that speeding tickets issued to ambulances on emergency journeys are creating extra administration costs in some areas. Officials have already had useful discussions with the Home Office and are working closely with them to provide a workable solution.

Emergency Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Home Affairs on the annual cost to health trusts of dealing with the paperwork generated by ambulances on emergency calls captured on speed cameras contravening speed limits.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is aware that speeding tickets issued to ambulances on emergency journeys are creating extra administration costs in some areas. Officials have already had useful discussions with the Home Office and are working closely with them to provide a workable solution.

Gender Pay Gap

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the pay gap between men and women employed by his Department and itsagencies in (a) Southampton, (b) Eastleigh, (c) Winchester and (d) Romsey.

Rosie Winterton: The Department, and its agencies do not employ any staff in Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester or Romsey, except for the NHS Estates agency which employs 15 staff in Winchester.
	It conducts an equal pay assessment each time a new employee is appointed or when an existing employee is promoted and the proposed salary has to be agreed bythe chief operating officer who conducts a benchmarking exercise via the human resources department.

Gloucestershire Tri-Service Centre

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent on setting up the Gloucestershire Tri-Service Centre at Quedgley; when it became fully operational; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 11 May 2004
	The Gloucestershire Tri-Service Centre has been fully operational since April 2003. It was set up with 2.6 million of funding from the Government's Invest to Save budget. The local fire, police and ambulance services jointly contributed a further 1.9 million.

Health Development Agency

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effect on   residents of Manchester, Gorton of the Health Development Agency;

Jim Dobbin: if he will make a statement on the effect on residents of Heywood and Middleton of the Health Development Agency;

Joe Benton: if he will make a statement on the benefits for   residents of Bootle of the Health Development Agency;

Tony Cunningham: if he will make a statement on the effect on residents of Workington constituency of the Health Development Agency;

Neil Turner: if he will make a statement on the effect on residents of Wigan of the Health Development Agency;

Mark Hendrick: if he will make a statement on the effect on residents of Preston of the Health Development Agency;

Peter Pike: what assessment he has made of the effects on residents of Burnley of the Health Development Agency;

Michael Meacher: if he will make a statement on the benefits for residents of Oldham, West and Royton of the Health Development Agency;

David Borrow: if he will make a statement on the benefits for residents of South Ribble of the Health Development Agency.

Melanie Johnson: The work of the Health Development Agency (HDA) is focused on service delivery that supports the whole of the region's public health development.
	The HDA manages the national healthy school standard, which is part of the Government's national strategy to reduce health inequalities for children.
	The North West HDA organised the largest ever regional public health conference in March 2004 to address the problem of obesity. Over 300 regional public health professionals, including representatives from health services responsible for Gorton, will have learned of the latest obesity data for the region and will collaboratively plan a regional obesity action plan. The workshop will draw together best practice from across the region and in addition to the HDA guidance on obesity, this will provide the basis for local and regional work to tackle obesity in the coming years.
	The North West HDA is currently working with the North West public health observatory and the regional cancer registries to review the main causes of cancer related deaths across the region.
	The HDA, in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University and the North West Public Health Observatory, is currently completing a regional report Alcohol: A Situational Analysis for the North West.

Health Funding (Manchester)

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on health in Manchester, Gorton in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure per weighted head in the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area, which includes the constituency of Gorton, has increased from 582.33 in   199798 to 992.61 in 200203 (the latest year available). This does not represent the total expenditure per head as an element of health expenditure cannot be identified by SHA area.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Oldham, West and Royton are receiving drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: In 200001, there were 737 people receiving drug treatment in Oldham. This is the latest available data. Data broken down by drug action team for 200102 and 200203 has not yet been finalised and published.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many senior citizens in Oldham, West and Royton have access to free eye tests;
	(2)  how many residents in Oldham, West and Royton aged over 60 years have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests.

Melanie Johnson: Figures for the number of sight tests by constituency, or senior citizens are not collected centrally.
	In 200203, the total number of national health service sight tests paid for patients aged 60 and over in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority was 189,900. The total number eligible for free sight test for those aged 60 and over was 493,100.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in Oldham, West and Royton in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) therapists and (b) scientists there were located in Oldham, West and Royton in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff in the Greater Manchester strategic health authority area as at 30September each specified year -- headcount
		
			   1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			   5,701 5,796 5,956 6,248 6,589 7,029 7,170 
			 5J5 Oldham PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 122 133 
			 QC9 West Pennine HA 1 1 1 2 4 n/a n/a 
			 REX Oldham NHS Trust 347 346 360 393 417 n/a n/a 
			 REZ Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 244 249 243 259 308 n/a n/a 
			 RM4 North Manchester Healthcare 281 288 306 323 337 340 315 
			 RMN Bury Health Care NHS Trust 216 225 230 242 267 n/a n/a 
			 RW6 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 900 853 
		
	
	n/anot applicable
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to NHS waiting list times for the residents of Oldham, West and Royton in the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not collected on a constituency basis but at national health service trust level. The information is shown in the table.
	
		Patients waiting for elective in-patient admission
		
			   Patients waiting for admission by months waiting 
			 NHS Trust Total number of patients waiting for admission Less than 3 months 35 months 68 months 911 months 1214 months 1517 months 18+ months 
		
		
			 March 1997 
			 Oldham NHS Trust 8,436 3,837 2,293 1,339 967
			 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4,464 2,472 868 577 374 173   
			 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 5,787 2,961 1,506 708 427 157 22 6 
			 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 2,223 1,471 399 196 120 37   
			 March 1998 
			 Oldham NHS Trust 8,332 3,954 1,976 1,650 736 16   
			 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4,684 2,702 924 581 305 132 40  
			 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 6,002 2,911 1,253 827 528 308 175  
			 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 2,437 1,581 375 251 128 91 11  
			 March 1999 
			 Oldham NHS Trust 7,338 4,156 1,904 895 315 67 1  
			 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4,168 2,351 873 484 257 167 36  
			 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 4,699 3,342 737 369 148 76 27  
			 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 2,153 1,210 367 240 127 158 51  
			 March 2000 
			 Oldham NHS Trust 6,484 4,012 1,364 682 371 50 5  
			 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4,032 2,102 841 568 330 130 61  
			 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 4,262 3,131 653 230 150 78 20  
			 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 2,103 1,218 341 219 164 105 56  
			 March 2001 
			 Oldham NHS Trust 6,427 4,092 1,478 601 213 43   
			 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4,039 2,456 876 397 249 45 16  
			 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 4,016 2,884 680 303 119 27 3  
			 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 1,916 1,250 367 181 118
			 March 2002 
			 Oldham NHS Trust 6,297 3,830 1,631 611 225
			 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 4,530 2,675 1,029 527 254 45   
			 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 4,008 2,804 795 265 114 30   
			 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 2,045 1,411 336 218 78 2   
			 March 2003 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 15,872 10,226 3,607 1,575 464
			 February 2004 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 15,892 9,720 4,536 1,491 145
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH07 and monthly monitoring.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of patients with suspected cancer in Oldham, West and Royton saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not collected on a constituency basis but at national health service trust level. Information from 200001, the earliest available, is shown in the table.
	
		Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment for suspected cancer following urgent general practitioner referral
		
			   Seen within two weeks 
			 Quarter NHS trust Percentage Number 
		
		
			 200001  
			 4 Oldham NHS Trust 93.3 167 
			 4 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 99.0 200 
			 4 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 93.9 200 
			 4 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 97.1 374 
			 
			 200102  
			 1 Oldham NHS Trust 94.8 181 
			 1 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 97.8 224 
			 1 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 94.9 242 
			 1 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 96.1 345 
			 
			 2 Oldham NHS Trust 96.4 162 
			 2 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 93.0 227 
			 2 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 90.6 298 
			 2 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 99.0 385 
			 3 Oldham NHS Trust 98.9 181 
			 3 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 99.6 235 
			 3 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 94.7 286 
			 3 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 99.5 398 
			 
			 4 Oldham NHS Trust 98.5 197 
			 4 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 99.5 209 
			 4 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 99.7 302 
			 4 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 450 
			 
			 200203  
			 1 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 98.8 1,215 
			 2 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.1 1,240 
			 3 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 98.4 1,325 
			 4 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 95.8 1,190 
			 
			 200304  
			 1 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 92.2 1,214 
			 2 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 94.9 1,174 
			 3 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 97.6 1,276 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QMCW.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for heart surgery in Oldham, West and Royton.

Melanie Johnson: There was one patient waiting more than nine months for heart surgery in the Oldham Primary Care Trust area at 30 June 2002. No patients have waited more than nine months since this date.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residents in Oldham, West and Royton awaiting heart surgery have had the option of choosing an alternative hospital for quicker treatment in the last 12 months.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the levels of elective admissions to the NHS in Oldham, West and Royton in the past five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is shown in the table.
	
		Primary care trust of responsibility, 5J5 Oldham PCT count of in-year selective admissions (waiting list, booked and planned cases) NHS hospitals, 199899 to 200203
		
			  In-year admissions 
		
		
			 199899 34,871 
			 19992000 37,389 
			 200001 34,386 
			 200102 30,932 
			 200203 29,988 
		
	
	Notes:
	In-year admissions
	An in-year admission is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider, excluding admissions beginning before 1 April at the start of the datayear. Periods of care ongoing at the end of the datayear (unfinished admission episodes) are included. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Ungrossed Data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Strategic Health Authority (SHA) Data Quality
	PCT and SHA data was added to historic data-years in the HES database using 200203 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. Data quality of PCT of GP practice for 199899 is poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rapid access chest pain clinics there are in Oldham, West and Royton.

Melanie Johnson: There is a rapid access chest pain clinic at the Royal Oldham Hospital, part of the Pennine Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust.
	The clinic is meeting the national service framework two-week target for patients to be seen from date of referral by general practitioner.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is a diagnostic and treatment centre located in Oldham, West and Royton.

Melanie Johnson: There is no treatment centre in Oldham West and Royton. A treatment centre is planned for Trafford Healthcare national health service trust.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS beds were available in Oldham, West and Royton in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Average daily number of available beds, by sector, Oldham NHS trust, 199697 to 200203
		
			  All specialties (excluding day only) General and acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 199697 764 579 441 138 124  61 73 
			 199798 740 554 554  125  60 65 
			 199899 756 573 573  116  66 73 
			 19992000 764 582 582  116  66 73 
			 200001 768 586 586  116  65 81 
			 200102 818 642 642  113  63 72 
			 200203 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03.
	
		Average daily number of available beds, by sector, Rochdale healthcare NHS trust, 199697 to 200203
		
			  All specialties (excluding day only) General and acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 199697 670 513 401 112 99 9 49 22 
			 199798 638 482 361 121 98 8 49 23 
			 199899 645 490 389 100 98 9 49 22 
			 19992000 656 522 401 120 87 8 39 22 
			 200001 657 520 385 135 94 8 36 25 
			 200102 631 488 83 405 94 8 41 31 
			 200203 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03.
	
		Average daily number of available beds, by sector, Pennine acute hospitals NHS trust, 199697 to 200203
		
			  All specialties (excluding day only) General and Acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 199697 .
			 199798 
			 199899 
			 19992000 
			 200001 
			 200102 
			 200203 2,321 2,142 2,142179 153 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03.
	
		Average daily number of available beds, by sector, Bury healthcare NHS trust, 199697 to 200203
		
			  All specialties (excluding day only) General and Acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 199697 740 582 398 184 97 12 49 10 
			 199798 720 568 568  91 10 51 8 
			 199899 686 553 553  83 10 39 10 
			 19992000 658 539 539  78 10 31 8 
			 200001 653 534 534  78 10 31 8 
			 200102 667 529 529  84 10 44 11 
			 200203 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03.
	
		Average daily number of available beds, by sector. North Manchester healthcare NHS trust, 199697 to 200203
		
			  All specialties (excluding day only) General and Acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 199697 849 669 669  134  46 23 
			 199798 826 633 633  137  56 20 
			 199899 766 625 625  108  33 20 
			 19992000 766 617 617  99  49 31 
			 200001 755 617 617  99  38 22 
			 200102 680 638 63841 34 
			 200203 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on (a) heart disease and (b) cancer care in Oldham, West and Royton in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is not collected centrally. Allocations of funding for particular treatments are matters for the local primary care trust.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of women in Oldham, West and Royton with suspected breast cancer saw a specialist within two weeks in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not collected on a constituency basis but at National Health Service Trust level. The information is shown in the table.
	
		Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment for suspected breast cancer following urgent general practitioner referral
		
			 Quarter NHS trust Percentage Number 
		
		
			 19992000  
			 1 Oldham NHS Trust 100.0 8 
			 1 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 39.6 19 
			 1 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 81.8 45 
			 1 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 85.0 34 
			 2 Oldham NHS Trust 100.0 n/a 
			 2 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 64.1 25 
			 2 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 90.6 29 
			 2 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 97.1 66 
			 3 Oldham NHS Trust 100.0 n/a 
			 3 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 70.6 24 
			 3 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 75.0 30 
			 3 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 58 
			 4 Oldham NHS Trust 100.0 22 
			 4 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 88.9 32 
			 4 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 94.5 52 
			 4 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 64 
			 200001  
			 1 Oldham NHS Trust 88.9 32 
			 1 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 84.1 37 
			 1 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 98.7 74 
			 1 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 77 
			 2 Oldham NHS Trust 97.5 77 
			 2 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 72 
			 2 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 89.9 71 
			 2 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 77 
			 3 Oldham NHS Trust 93.8 76 
			 3 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 77 
			 3 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 93.9 77 
			 3 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 93 
			 4 Oldham NHS Trust 97.1 68 
			 4 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 71 
			 4 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 98.6 70 
			 4 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 88 
			 200002  
			 1 Oldham NHS Trust 98.7 76 
			 1 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 85 
			 1 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 98.6 68 
			 1 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 105 
			 2 Oldham NHS Trust 98.7 75 
			 2 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 95.9 71 
			 2 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 91.3 94 
			 2 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 93 
			 3 Oldham NHS Trust 100.0 106 
			 3 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 93 
			 3 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 79 
			 3 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 108 
			 4 Oldham NHS Trust 100.0 84 
			 4 Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 54 
			 4 North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 66 
			 4 Bury Healthcare NHS Trust 100.0 107 
			 200203  
			 1 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.4 357 
			 2 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.7 357 
			 3 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.0 383 
			 4 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 97.7 334 
			 200004  
			 1 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 98.0 389 
			 2 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 98.1 366 
			 3 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.6 449 
		
	
	Note:
	Where patient numbers are below six, the Department does not publish figures in order to avoid patients being identifiable due to low numbers. Where this would apply, the table reads n/a.
	Source:
	Department of Health form QMCW.

Health Services

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public funding has been spent on health in Oldham, West and Royton in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested. Expenditure per weighted head in the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area, which includes the constituency of Oldham West and Royton, has increased from 582.33 in 199798 to 992.61 in 200203 (the latest year for which data is available). This does not represent the total expenditure per head, as an element of health expenditure cannot be identified by SHA area.

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) therapists and (b) scientists were located in South Ribble in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff in the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority area by organisation as at 30September each specified year -- headcount
		
			   1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Q13 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA total 3,352 3,486 3,595 3,706 3,759 3,893 4,279 
			 5F2 Chorley and South Ribble PCT (38) (38) (38) (38) 93 124 147 
			 5F3 West Lancashire PCT (38) (38) (38) (38) 45 48 59 
			 QC1 South Lancashire HA 2 2 1 4 1 (38) (38) 
			 RJU Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 211 218 216 222 169 (38) (38) 
			 RJV West Lancashire NHS Trust 183 177 (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) 
			 RMF Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 378 410 435 460 468 (38) (38) 
			 RW5 Lancashire Care NHS Trust (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) 260 259 
			 RXN Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) 603 726 
		
	
	(38) Not applicable
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of suspected cancer patients in South Ribble saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each of the last seven years.

Melanie Johnson: Information from 200001, the earliest available, is shown in the table.
	
		Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment for suspected cancer following urgent GP referralSouth Ribble
		
			Seen within two weeks 
			  Quarter NHS trust Percentage Number 
		
		
			 200001 4 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 98.8 320 
			 200001 4 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 158 
			 200102 1 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 98.5 336 
			 200102 1 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 204 
			 200102 2 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 99.1 325 
			 200102 2 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 231 
			 200102 3 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 100.0 428 
			 200102 3 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.6 252 
			 200102 4 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 100.0 406 
			 200102 4 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 291 
			 200203 1 Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 100.0 435 
			 200203 1 Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 99.7 312 
			 200203 2 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 99.9 822 
			 200203 3 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 99.4 822 
			 200203 4 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 783 
			 200304 1 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 99.9 843 
			 200304 2 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 98.9 887 
			 200304 3 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 100.0 990 
		
	
	Source:
	DH form QMCW.

Health Services

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times for heart surgery in South Ribble.

Melanie Johnson: There were eight patients waiting more than nine months for heart surgery in Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust area at 30 June 2002. No patients have waited for more than nine months since this date.

Health Services

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) doctors and (b) nurses there were in Bootle in each of the last seven years; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Services

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residents in Taunton awaiting heart surgery have been offered the option of choosing an alternative hospital for quicker treatment in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

Health Services

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many senior citizens in Wigan have access to free eye tests;
	(2)  how many residents in Wigan aged over 60 years have benefited from the abolition of charges for eye tests.

Melanie Johnson: Data for the number of sight tests by constituency or by the number of senior citizens are not collected centrally.
	The total number of National Health Service sight tests paid for by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority in 200203 for patients aged 60 and over was 180,900. The total number eligible for a free sight test for those aged 60 and over was 493,100. Sight tests cannot be equated to the numbers of patients.

Macular Degeneration

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are being made for the funding and delivery of photo dynamic therapy treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration in the Peninsula Strategic Health Authority area; and whether they comply with National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 10 May 2004
	In line with our policy to shift the balance of power, responsibility for the funding and delivery of health services now rests with primary care trusts (PCTs). In the South West Peninsula strategic health authority area, the Peninsula Local Specialised Commissioning Group is leading on the implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on   photodynamic therapy on behalf of its PCTs. Photodynamic therapy is currently provided by the South Devon Healthcare National Health Service Trust at Torbay Hospital and the service will be expanded from June to accept referrals from across the Peninsula. In addition, consideration is being given to involving some other hospitals in the area so as to improve local access to this service.

ME

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of essential services for severely affected sufferers of ME.

Stephen Ladyman: On 20 January 2004, I announced new   services for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, (CFS/ME), funded by a 8.5 million cash injection. This money will see the creation of 12 new CFS/ME centres and 28 local support teams throughout England in the coming months.
	Local teams are expected to develop a network of services (health, education and social services) for those more severely affected who may be house-bound or bed-bound. The Department also provides funding to support the work of voluntary organisations working with people with CFS/ME.
	In addition, in response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Research Council produced a research strategy on CFS/ME on 1 May 2003.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been commissioned to develop clinical guidelines for the   diagnosis and management of CFS/ME. These guidelines will underpin the training of health professionals, ensuring people with this condition receive sound advice and support and will address a range of issues including assessment and diagnosis, adjustment and coping, symptom management and the use of rehabilitation strategies to optimising functioning and achieving greater independence.

Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-regional Strategy

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which (a) individuals and (b) organisations will be consulted by those charged with carrying out the studies commissioned by the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Health and Social Care Sub-Group;
	(2)  what the (a) terms of reference and (b) intended date for completion is of each of the studies mentioned in paragraph 53 of the Cross-Government Statement (matters 1, 2, 3, 4) on the draft Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy that the Miltion Keynes and South Midlands Health and Social Care Group has commissioned; and who is responsible for carrying out each one;
	(3)  when he intends to publish a 30-year health and social care vision for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands sub-region, as mentioned in paragraph 98 of the Cross-Government Statement (matters 1, 2, 3, 4) on the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The studies commissioned by the Milton Keynes South Midlands Health and Social Care Sub-group have been funded through the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Growth Areas Fund. These studies cover two workstreams. The first workstream is to examine how the interaction between health and the built environment can inform best practice in developing sustainable communities in the MKSM Growth Area. The second workstream is focusing on the delivery of health and social care services in response to the proposed growth in housing and population. The studies will provide a 30 year health and social care vision for the sub-region with a development plan and action plan to achieve the vision. The studies are due to be completed in June 2005.
	The Chief Executive of the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority is the Chair of the Sub-Group. A full-time Project Director has also been appointed for the studies and to co-ordinate consultation activity.
	The Sub-group has comprehensive representation from the health community, including the representatives of the relevant Primary Care Trusts, local authority social care departments, the three Strategic Health Authorities; the three Regional Public Health Groups of the Department of Health; the three Workforce Development Confederations (WDCs) and from NHS Estates. In addition a stakeholder reference group has been formed which will enable emerging ideas to be tested with a wide range of stakeholders, including health service users. This currently includes representatives from the local   NHS Trusts, local authority Health Scrutiny Committees and patient representatives, and the intention is to expand its scope to include District Councils, Local Strategic Partnerships, independent sector service providers, and other interested groups.

Official Meetings (Mayor of London)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  on what dates (a) he and (b) his predecessors have held official meetings with the Mayor of London since July 2000; and what the subject of each meeting was;
	(2)  if he will list the official meetings he and his predecessor had with the Mayor of London since July 2000 to discuss health matters in London, and the dates and subject of each meeting.

Rosie Winterton: holding answers 10 May and 11 May 2004
	My right hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Health (Mr. Hutton) met the Mayor of London from time to time and discussed a variety of subjects relating to health.

Productivity

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out his policy for increasing the productivity and cutting the costs of his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to Her Majesty's Treasury on 10 May, Official Report, columns 148-49W.

Radiation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential health risk   from exposure to low-level (a) ionising and (b) non-ionising radiation; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Government is advised on the potential health risks from ionising and non-ionising radiation by a variety of bodies. The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) provides statutory advice to Government (www.nrpb.org). The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) provides advice on health effects of radiation at the levels encountered in the general environment. Low-level internal radiation emitters are the remit of the Committee Evaluating Radiation Risks from Internal Emitters and it is due to report to COMARE in the autumn of 2004. The risks from exposure to low-level internal emitters are also regularly reviewed by international organisations, such as the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation.
	In addition, the Department runs its own radiological protection research programme in the area of low-level radiation exposure (both ionising and non-ionising), that provides information on the quantification of the risk to public health and the implementation of appropriate preventative measures. Research specifically aimed at investigating the potential health effects of mobile phone technology was set up in 2001 under the mobile telecommunications and health research programme.
	For non-ionising radiation, the NRPB has recently reviewed the scientific evidence relating to possible adverse health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 0300GHz (Documents of the NRPB: Vol 15, No 3, 2004). This document provides the basis of NRPB advice on quantitative restrictions on exposure and other measures to avoid adverse effects. It is available on the NRPB web site.

Sexual Health/HIV

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV; and what assessment he has made of its impact on the sexual health of young people in the UK.

Melanie Johnson: The national strategy for sexual health and HIV, which is closely linked to the Government's teenage pregnancy strategy, identifies young people as a priority group for action to improve sexual health. The Government's 'Sex Lottery' and teenage pregnancy media campaigns are raising awareness among young people of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and how to avoid them. We are also tackling the most common STI through our national chlamydia screening programme, which already covers a quarter of primary care trusts in England, and is being rolled-out across the rest of the country.

Vaccinations

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on ensuring that there is an adequate provision of serum for children whose parents opt for individual inoculations rather than the combined MMR.

Melanie Johnson: The Department does not supply single vaccines. It provides the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine because it provides the most effective protection against three potentially serious diseases. The availability of single vaccines is an issue for the private clinics who offer them.